not only.. but also; as well as (ばかりでなく) – Japanese Grammar ばかりでなく (bakari denaku)

Q: What JLPT level is ばかりでなく?

JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Q: How do you use ばかりでなく in a sentence?

Attach ばかりでなく to the appropriate verb or noun form. Not only.. but also; as well as

Q: Is ばかりでなく formal or casual Japanese?

ばかりでなく can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

ばかりでなく

N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

bakari denaku

not only.. but also; as well as

わざと wazato に対して ni taishite どんなに～ても donna ni~temo から〜にかけて kara~ni kakete と言うと to iu to ことはない koto wa nai ほど hodo だらけ darake ようがない you ga nai よりも yorimo 直す naosu せいで sei de とても～ない totemo~nai わけがない wake ga nai ずに zuni において ni oite をはじめ o hajime ところで tokoro de に違いない ni chigai nai ような気がする you na ki ga suru わざと wazato に対して ni taishite どんなに～ても donna ni~temo から〜にかけて kara~ni kakete と言うと to iu to ことはない koto wa nai ほど hodo だらけ darake ようがない you ga nai よりも yorimo 直す naosu せいで sei de とても～ない totemo~nai わけがない wake ga nai ずに zuni において ni oite をはじめ o hajime ところで tokoro de に違いない ni chigai nai ような気がする you na ki ga suru

🃏 Flashcard

ばかりでなく

bakari denaku

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not only.. but also; as well as

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N3

Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Reading bakari denaku

Post ID 50822

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

not only.. but also; as well as

📖 How to use it

Connects two clauses to say 'not only A, but also B', often with an unexpected or additional point.

Attaches to Attach to the dictionary form of verbs, the dictionary form of adjectives (both い and な), or nouns directly. For な-adjectives and nouns, you may see である before ばかりでなく in formal writing, but the plain noun/な-adj + ばかりでなく is common.

This pattern emphasizes that the second item is also true or happens, going beyond the first. It's like saying 'not only... but also...'. The first part can be something expected, and the second part adds something extra or surprising. For example, if someone is smart (which is good) and also works hard (which adds more), you can use this pattern.

It works with verbs, adjectives, and nouns. For verbs, use the dictionary form. For nouns and な-adjectives, just place them directly before ばかりでなく. For い-adjectives, use the dictionary form as well. This pattern is slightly formal and common in written Japanese or speeches, but also used in spoken Japanese to make a strong point.

Note that the second clause often ends with も to emphasize 'also'. The pattern can be used with positive or negative things. In casual conversation, you might hear だけでなく instead, which is less formal.

彼は頭がいいばかりでなく、スポーツもできる。

Kare wa atama ga ii bakari denaku, supootsu mo dekiru.

Not only is he smart, but he is also good at sports.

このレストランは料理が美味しいばかりでなく、値段も安い。

Kono resutoran wa ryouri ga oishii bakari denaku, nedan mo yasui.

This restaurant is not only delicious but also cheap.

彼女は医者ばかりでなく、小説家でもある。

Kanojo wa isha bakari denaku, shousetsuka demo aru.

She is not only a doctor but also a novelist.

Not だけでなく Both mean 'not only... but also', but ばかりでなく is more formal and literary. だけでなく is more common in everyday speech and writing. In many cases, they are interchangeable, but ばかりでなく often adds a nuance of 'not just that, but even this'.

Register Slightly formal and used in both spoken and written Japanese, but more common in written essays, speeches, or formal conversations.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

ばかりでなく

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat ばかりでなく three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using ばかりでなく. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns

← Previous

ばかりで

only; just (negative description)

べきだ

should do~; must do~

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern ばかりでなく mean? ▼

Not only.. but also; as well as

What JLPT level is ばかりでなく? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use ばかりでなく in a sentence? ▼

Attach ばかりでなく (bakari denaku) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is ばかりでなく formal or casual Japanese? ▼

ばかりでなく is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember ばかりでなく long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.