TOPIK II · LEVEL 3
-(으)ㄴ/는 반면에
-(으)ㄴ/는 반면에 links two facts that show opposite sides of something, like "whereas" or "on the other hand".
대조·양보Contrast & concessionHan: 비싸다 is an adjective, so it takes -(으)ㄴ 반면에, not -는 반면에.
Examples
이 식당은 음식이 맛있는 반면에 값이 좀 비싸요.The food at this restaurant is tasty, but on the other hand it is a bit expensive.
요즘 책을 읽는 사람은 줄어든 반면에 동영상을 보는 사람은 늘었어요.These days the number of people who read books has dropped, whereas the number who watch videos has grown.
도시 생활은 편리한 반면에 공기가 안 좋아요.City life is convenient; on the other hand, the air is bad.
형은 활발한 반면에 동생은 조용한 편이에요.My older brother is outgoing, whereas my younger brother is rather quiet.
Don’t mix up
-(으)ㄴ/는 반면에vs-지만-지만 can express any contrast, including "despite" (피곤하지만 일했어요); 반면에 needs two opposing facts, so *피곤한 반면에 일했어요 sounds odd.-(으)ㄴ/는 반면에vs-(으)ㄴ/는데-는데 can give background and be followed by a request (비가 오는데 우산을 가져가세요); 반면에 only contrasts two facts and does not lead into requests.
How to build it
A+(으)ㄴ 반면에
V+는 반면에
V(past)+(으)ㄴ 반면에
N+인 반면에
비싸다 → 비싼 반면에, 먹다 → 먹는 반면에, 줄다 → 준 반면에, 학생이다 → 학생인 반면에
- Adjectives take -(으)ㄴ, verbs take -는 in the present; 있다/없다 words take -는 (맛있는 반면에, 재미없는 반면에).
- For a past action, use V-(으)ㄴ 반면에 or V-았/었던 반면에, not V-는.
- Both clauses should state contrasting facts; the second clause is usually not a command or suggestion.
- It sounds somewhat formal and is common in writing and explanations; in casual talk -지만 is more usual.
Classic mistake
Wrong: 이 가방은 비싸는 반면에 품질이 좋아요.
Right: 이 가방은 비싼 반면에 품질이 좋아요.
비싸다 is an adjective, so it takes -(으)ㄴ 반면에, not -는 반면에.
Practise -(으)ㄴ/는 반면에 on real TOPIK questions
Hannim plans each day up to your exam date: questions on this pattern, reviews, full mock papers and graded writing. 7 days free, no card.
Start 7-day free trialMore level 3 grammar
All TOPIK grammar- -(으)ㄴ/는 대신(에)-(으)ㄴ/는 대신(에) means 'instead of' (replacement) or 'in exchange for / but on the other hand' (trade-off).
- -(으)ㄴ/는데도-(으)ㄴ/는데도 means 'even though': a real situation is stated, and the result goes against what you would expect from it.
- -기는 하다You admit that something is true, but only partly or with a reservation, usually followed by a 'but'.
- -다가도Even while A is going on, B suddenly happens, usually something opposite: 'A one moment, then (suddenly) B'. Stresses how quickly a situation or mood changes.
- -더라도-더라도 means "even if (we suppose) this happens": the main clause stays true or must still be done regardless.
- 아무리 -아/어도아무리 -아/어도 means 'no matter how (much) …': the result stays the same however much A happens.
- -(으)ㅁ-(으)ㅁ turns a verb or adjective into a noun; it is used in notes, notices, memos and written records.
- -(으)며-(으)며 is a formal, written 'and' (listing) or 'while' (two actions at once).
- -(이)야-(이)야 emphasizes a topic as obvious or as the only one meant: 'as for N, of course …'.
