ばかりでなく
Not Merely
ばかりでなく is a formal way to say 'not only... but also.' It emphasizes that a situation isn't limited to one thing, but extends to something else—often something more significant or unexpected.
How It Works
1. Meaning and Nuance
While it translates to 'not only,' ばかりでなく is used to add information that is of greater significance, scope, or importance than the first part. It is more formal than だけでなく.
2. Grammatical Attachment
- Nouns: Directly attached. (e.g., 英語ばかりでなく). In formal writing, [Noun] + であるばかりでなく is also common.
- Verbs: Attached to the plain form (dictionary, past, etc.).
- い-Adjectives: Attached to the plain form.
- な-Adjectives: Use the 〜な form or 〜である form before ばかりでなく.
3. Sentence Structure and Restrictions
The second clause must contain an additive particle to complete the thought, such as も, まで, or さえ.
Important: Unlike だけでなく, this pattern is generally not used with sentences that end in a command, request, or invitation (e.g., ~なさい, ~てください, ~ましょう).
4. Register
This is a formal expression. In casual daily conversation, speakers usually prefer だけでなく.
Examples (4)
- 彼は英語ばかりでなく、中国語も話せる。
He can speak not only English, but Chinese as well.
Word by Word: He (topic) English not only, Chinese also can speak.
Here, the speaker emphasizes that the subject's language ability extends beyond the expected (English) to include Chinese.
- このレストランは安いばかりでなく、味もいい。
This restaurant is not only cheap, but the food is also good.
Word by Word: This restaurant (topic) cheap not only, taste also good.
The adjective 安い（やすい） 'cheap' is followed by the additive particle も in the second clause to show two positive traits.
- 彼女は歌が上手なばかりでなく、ピアノも弾ける。
She is not only good at singing, but she can also play the piano.
Word by Word: She (topic) singing (subject) skillful not only, piano also can play.
Note the use of な after the な-adjective 上手（じょうず） before adding ばかりでなく.
- この映画は子供ばかりでなく、大人も楽しめる。
This movie can be enjoyed not only by children, but by adults too.
Word by Word: This movie (topic) children not only, adults also can enjoy.
This shows the scope of the movie's appeal, adding 'adults' as a significant group alongside 'children'.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the 'na' for na-adjectives.
彼女はきれいばかりでなく、親切だ。彼女はきれいなばかりでなく、親切だ。When using a な-adjective, you must keep the な (or use である) before ばかりでなく.
Forgetting the additive particle in the second clause.
日本料理は美味しいばかりでなく、健康にいい。日本料理は美味しいばかりでなく、健康にもいい。Without the particle も (also), the sentence feels incomplete. The second clause needs to explicitly show that it is 'adding' to the first.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'bakari de naku', you first need to be familiar with the particle 'bakari' and the concept of 'dake de naku' (not only). This pattern functions by taking a limit ('bakari') and negating it ('de naku') to imply that the statement doesn't stop there, but includes something else as well.
- ばかりOnly/nothing but
The pattern is built upon the particle 'bakari', which indicates 'only' or 'nothing but', providing the core meaning of limitation.
Level 2 - だけでなくNot Only
This pattern is a more formal or emphatic version of 'dake de naku', sharing the same grammatical structure of negating a limit to add more information.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- はもちろんNot to Mention
Means 'not to mention' or 'A goes without saying, but also B.' It places more emphasis on A being obvious.
Level 3 - どころかFar From/let Alone
A much stronger expression meaning 'far from' or 'let alone,' often used when the second part is much more extreme than the first.
Level 4 - もAlso/too
The essential additive particle ('also') that usually appears in the second clause of a ばかりでなく sentence.
Level 1 - に加えてIn Addition to
Means 'in addition to.' While similar, it is used more for simply listing items rather than emphasizing a scope of qualities.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice ばかりでなく in Bubblegum
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