-는 반면에: “While… / On the Other Hand” in Korean Grammar
-는 반면에 is the connector you reach for when you want to hold two contrasting sides of the same thing in one sentence: a city that’s convenient but expensive, a person who’s quiet but fast-acting, a room that is large yet feels small. It’s a staple of TOPIK essays because it signals balanced thinking rather than a one-sided argument.
What Does -는 반면에 Mean?
-는 반면에 means “while,” “whereas,” or “on the other hand.” It connects two clauses about the same subject that pull in different directions. Unlike a simple contrast word like 하지만 (“but”), -는 반면에 ties the contrast directly into the sentence structure, which reads as more sophisticated and is especially valued in TOPIK Writing Question 54, where examiners look for balanced argumentation.
How to Use -는 반면에 (Grammar Structure)
The attachment changes slightly depending on the word type:
Adjectives: stem + -(으)ㄴ 반면에
편리한 반면에 물가가 비싸다. It’s convenient, while prices are expensive.
Verbs, and 있다/없다: stem + -는 반면에
시간을 절약할 수 있는 반면에 집중력이 떨어지기 쉽다. It saves time, whereas it’s easy to lose focus.
“~적이다” type nouns: stem + -인 반면에
효과적인 반면에 비용이 많이 든다. It’s effective, while it costs a lot.
Example Sentences
- 이 도시는 편리한 반면에 물가가 비싸다. This city is convenient, while prices are expensive.
- 온라인 수업은 시간을 절약할 수 있는 반면에 집중력이 떨어지기 쉽다. Online classes save time, whereas it’s easy to lose focus.
- 그는 말수가 적은 반면에 행동이 빠르다. He talks little, whereas he acts quickly.
- 이 정책은 효과적인 반면에 비용이 많이 든다. This policy is effective, while it costs a lot.
Practice: Try It Yourself
Write three sentences using -는 반면에:
- Contrast two sides of your hometown or the city you live in now.
- Describe a job or hobby – one clear advantage, and one clear drawback.
- TOPIK-essay style: contrast online learning and offline (in-person) learning.
Before you move on, check that you matched the right ending to the right word type. Adjectives take -(으)ㄴ, verbs and 있다/없다 take -는. That distinction is one of the most common small mistakes at this level, so it’s worth double-checking each sentence.
Looking for more contrast and connector patterns like this one? Our TOPIK Writing Samples show these structures used in full model essays.