はもちろん

Not to Mention

Level 3Sounds Like hamochiron

はもちろん（はもちろん） is used to say 'not to mention [A]' or '[A] is a matter of course, but [B] is also true.' It highlights that the first item is so obvious it barely needs saying, while the second item adds even more scope to the statement.

How It Works

The expression はもちろん comes from the word もちろん（もちろん - of course）. When used as a sentence pattern, it functions as a focus marker to establish a baseline of expectation.

1. Usage with Nouns:
It most commonly follows a noun directly.
Example: 漢字（かんじ）はもちろん... (Kanji, of course...)

2. Usage with Verbs and Adjectives:
To use this with actions or descriptions, you must nominalize them using の or こと. The nominalized phrase is followed directly by はもちろん.
Example: 走（はし）るのはもちろん... (Running, of course...)

3. Sentence Structure Requirements:
The second part of the sentence (the 'B' part) almost always requires an inclusive particle such as も, まで, or さえ to emphasize the addition.

4. Variation: はもちろんのこと
You will often see はもちろんのこと used interchangeably. This is slightly more formal and emphatic but carries the same meaning.

5. Nuance vs. Other Patterns:
Unlike the neutral だけでなく (not only), はもちろん carries a subjective tone. It implies that the speaker thinks 'A is so obvious it goes without saying.' In negative sentences, it often translates to 'let alone,' emphasizing that if the basic thing (A) isn't possible, then the more difficult thing (B) certainly isn't either.

Examples (4)

  1. 彼女は英語はもちろん、フランス語も話せる。

    She can speak French, not to mention English.

    Word by Word: She as-for English of-course, French also can-speak.

    Here, English is the 'obvious' language she would know, and French is the additional, impressive skill.

  2. この映画は、子供はもちろん大人も楽しめます。

    This movie can be enjoyed by adults, not to mention children.

    Word by Word: This movie, children of-course adults also can-enjoy.

    It is expected that children like the movie, but the speaker emphasizes that adults enjoy it too.

  3. 彼は歩くことはもちろん、走ることもできない。

    He can't even walk, let alone run.

    Word by Word: He walking-thing of-course, running-thing also cannot-do.

    In negative contexts, the 'easier' action (walking) is placed first. If he cannot even walk, then running is definitely impossible.

  4. 日本国内はもちろん、海外でもそのアニメは人気がある。

    That anime is popular abroad, not to mention within Japan.

    Word by Word: Japan inside of-course, overseas even that anime popularity exists.

    This shows the pattern following a location noun, emphasizing the wide reach of the anime's popularity.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the 'also' particle in the second clause.

    漢字はもちろん、カタカナを書けます。
    漢字はもちろん、カタカナも書けます。

    The logic of 'not only A but also B' requires an additive particle like も (also), さえ (even), or まで (even) in the second part of the sentence.

  • Reversing the order of importance.

    フランス語はもちろん、英語も話せます。(When English is the speaker's native language)
    英語はもちろん、フランス語も話せます。

    The item before はもちろん must be the more 'obvious' or 'basic' one. If you are a native English speaker, English is the obvious one, not French.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

はもちろんLevel 3Not to Mention

Learn This First

To understand 'はもちろん', you need to be comfortable with the topic marker 'は' and the concept of adding information using 'も'. It is a more emphatic way of saying 'not only X but also Y', so familiarity with basic additive structures is helpful.

Words in This Pattern

勿論