Parallel Reason & Aspect Connectors "一来…二来 / 一则…二则 / 一方面…另一方面"

Pattern

• 一来 + Reason，二来 + Reason
• 一则 + Reason，二则 + Reason
• 一方面 + Verb phrase，另一方面 + Verb phrase

Usage

• Chinese offers several paired structures for enumerating parallel reasons, purposes, or dimensions in speeches and essays:
• (1) 一来…，二来…（，三来…） ("firstly..., secondly..."): natural and approachable in spoken Chinese and informal writing to explain multiple reasons for a decision (我不想去，一来太远，二来太贵).
• (2) 一则…，二则… ("for one thing..., for another..."): more literary and concise than 一来…二来, frequently used in formal writing with balanced four-character clauses (此举一则节省成本，二则提高效率).
• (3) 一方面…，另一方面… ("on the one hand..., on the other hand..."): presents two simultaneous, complementary, or contrasting facets of a situation or policy

Examples

1. 1

   我不想去,一来太远,二来太贵。

   Wǒ bù xiǎng qù, yī lái tài yuǎn, èr lái tài guì.

   I don't want to go—firstly because it's too far, and secondly because it's too expensive.

2. 2

   此举一则节省成本,二则提高效率。

   Cǐ jǔ yī zé jiéshěng chéngběn, èr zé tígāo xiàolǜ.

   This measure, for one thing, saves costs, and for another, improves efficiency.

3. 3

   一方面要发展经济,另一方面要保护环境。

   Yī fāngmiàn yào fāzhǎn jīngjì, lìng yī fāngmiàn yào bǎohù huánjìng.

   On the one hand we must develop the economy; on the other hand we must protect the environment.