半はん面めん

conjunction, particle

while; although; but on the other hand

Used after the attributive form of a verb or adjective, or after の, to contrast two aspects of the same thing: “while it is A, it is also B.” Often appears in explanatory or written-style Japanese.

See also: 反面

• この薬くすりはよく効きく半はん面めん、副ふく作さ用ようも強つよい。

  This medicine works well, but on the other hand its side effects are also strong.

• 彼かれは優やさしい半はん面めん、少すこし頑がん固こだ。

  He is kind, although he is also a little stubborn.

conjunction

at the same time; on the other hand; and yet

Used as a sentence-level connector, especially in その半面, to introduce a contrasting point or downside after the previous statement.

See also: 反面 · その反面

• 都と会かいは仕し事ごとが多おおい。その半はん面めん、家や賃ちんは高たかい。

  Cities have many jobs. On the other hand, the rent is high.

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

half the face; profile

Rare noun use referring to one half or side view of a face; in modern everyday Japanese, 顔の半分 or 横顔 is usually more natural depending on the meaning.

• 顔かおの半はん面めんに強つよい光ひかりが当あたっていた。

  Strong light was falling on half of the face.

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

one side; one half; the reverse side or opposite aspect

Rare noun use for one side, half, or the opposite/reverse aspect of something. The abstract contrast overlaps with the more common conjunction-like use, but this sense treats 半面 as a noun.

• 物もの事ごとの半はん面めんだけを見みて判はん断だんしてはいけない。

  You should not judge things by looking at only one side of them.

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

half the surface

Rare literal noun use meaning half of a surface. In ordinary modern wording, 表面の半分 is often clearer.

• 球きゅうの半はん面めんだけを黒くろく塗ぬった。

  Only half of the sphere's surface was painted black.