downside / shady side
Loading your saved state.
downside
The negative, unpleasant, or problematic aspects of a thing, person, or situation.
Der große Erfolg hatte auch seine Schattenseiten, wie den Verlust der Privatsphäre.
The great success also had its downsides, such as the loss of privacy.
shady side
The side of an object, mountain, or building that is not lit by the sun and is therefore in the shade.
Auf der Schattenseite des Hauses wächst Moos an der Wand.
On the shady side of the house, moss grows on the wall.
The word is made up of 'der Schatten' (the shadow/shade) and 'die Seite' (the side). So it literally describes the side that lies in the shade. This basic idea is then also applied to figurative, negative aspects.
Wir stellten unsere Stühle auf die Schattenseite der Terrasse.
We put our chairs on the shady side of the terrace.
You can recognize the figurative meaning when abstract things are being discussed, such as a profession, success, or a decision. The literal meaning always refers to a physical place that is not lit by the sun.
Die ständige Öffentlichkeit ist die Schattenseite seines Berufs.
Constant public attention is the downside of his profession.
In the figurative sense, the phrase 'etwas hat seine Schattenseiten' (something has its downsides) is often used. People also speak of the 'Schattenseiten des Ruhms' (downsides of fame) or 'des Lebens' (of life).
Das Leben als Profisportler hat auch seine Schattenseiten.
Life as a professional athlete has its downsides too.
When referring to the literal meaning, the preposition 'auf' is almost always used with the dative to describe the location.
Die Pflanzen wachsen besser auf der Schattenseite des Balkons.
The plants grow better on the shady side of the balcony.
downside / reverse side
Schattenseite generally refers to an unpleasant or problematic aspect. Kehrseite presents this disadvantage more strongly as the opposite or consequence of something that is otherwise positive. If you want to emphasize the problem itself, Schattenseite is more likely; if you want to contrast an advantage with its disadvantage, Kehrseite is more likely.
Die zunehmende Isolation ist eine Schattenseite der dauerhaften Arbeit im Homeoffice.
The growing isolation is one downside of working from home permanently.
Weniger Arbeitswege sind praktisch, doch die Kehrseite ist die zunehmende Isolation.
Fewer commutes are convenient, but the downside is growing isolation.
