日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

~のみならず

~nomi narazu

not only... but also

When to use it

Use ~のみならず in written or formal spoken Japanese (reports, business email, presentations, negotiation) as the stiffer, more literary equivalent of ~だけでなく. It typically introduces an expansion of scope — from one party or factor to a wider one — and the second clause almost always carries も, まで, or さえ. Avoid it in casual conversation; ~だけじゃなくて is the spoken counterpart.

Formation

  • Verb: plain form + のみならず (e.g. 値上がりする → 値上がりするのみならず)
  • i-adjective: plain form + のみならず (高い → 高いのみならず)
  • na-adjective: stem + である + のみならず (不十分 → 不十分であるのみならず); 〜なのみならず is not used in formal writing
  • Noun: noun (+である) + のみならず (国内 → 国内のみならず/国内であるのみならず)
  • Frequently reinforced as 「〜のみならず、〜も/まで/さえ」; the stronger form ただ〜のみならず also appears in writing.

Examples

  • This matter affects not only our company but the entire industry.

  • Not only the price but the delivery date remains an issue.

  • The new model is well received not only domestically but overseas as well.

  • It leads not only to cost cuts but also to better quality.

  • Not only is the explanation inadequate, no evidence is even given.