When talking about various aspects of a situation, "一方面⋯⋯， (另)一方面⋯⋯" (yī fāngmiàn..., (lìng) yī fāngmiàn...) can be used in a similar way that "On one hand..., on the other hand..." is in English.

Structure

The two aspects in the sentence can both be similar in tone, or as it is more common in English, they can be in direct opposition of each other.

Examples

我们 一方面 要让客户满意， 另一方面 又不能让公司有损失。 Wǒmen yī fāngmiàn yào ràng kèhù mǎnyì, lìng yī fāngmiàn yòu bù néng ràng gōngsī yǒu sǔnshī.One one hand, we need to make our clients satisfied, but on the other hand, we can't cause the company any loss.
这个项目 一方面 能增加当地人的收入， 另一方面 还能保护当地的环境。 Zhège xiàngmù yī fāngmiàn néng zēngjiā dāngdì rén de shōurù, lìng yī fāngmiàn hái néng bǎohù dāngdì de huánjìng.One one hand, this project can increase local people's income; on the other hand, it can protect local environment.
他 一方面很想创业，另 一方面 又担心风险太大。 Tā yī fāngmiàn hěn xiǎng chuàngyè, lìng yī fāngmiàn yòu dānxīn fēngxiǎn tài dà.On one hand, he wants to start a business, but on the other hand, he's afraid the risk is too great.
智能手机 一方面 让我们的生活方便了很多， 另一方面 也浪费了我们不少时间。 Zhìnéng shǒujī yī fāngmiàn ràng wǒmen de shēnghuó fāngbiàn le hěn duō, lìng yī fāngmiàn yě làngfèi le wǒmen bùshǎo shíjiān.One one hand, smart phone makes our life more convenient; on the other hand, it wastes a lot of our time.
开发太阳能 一方面 可以减少污染，一方面也可以降低成本。 Kāifā tàiyángnéng yī fāngmiànkěyǐ jiǎnshǎo wūrǎn, yī fāngmiàn yě kěyǐ jiàngdī chéngběn.On one hand, developing solar power can reduce pollution; on the other hand, it could also reduce the cost.

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books