日本語道場

Nihongo Dojo — N3 → N2

Grammar

N2

～はもとより

~ wa motoyori

not to mention, needless to say

When to use it

Use ～はもとより in written or formal spoken Japanese to say "A goes without saying, and B as well" — you assert A as an obvious given, then add B as the more noteworthy point. It is the stiffer, more literary counterpart of ～はもちろん, and fits reports, proposals, and prepared remarks rather than casual talk. The second clause almost always carries も, まで, or さえ to mark the addition.

Formation

  • Noun: 　N＋はもとより → 国内はもとより (the standard and by far most common use)
  • Verb: plain form＋のはもとより／ことはもとより → 遅れるのはもとより
  • i-adjective: plain form＋のはもとより → 安いのはもとより
  • na-adjective: 〜な＋のはもとより／であることはもとより → 便利なのはもとより
  • Follow-up element normally takes も／まで／さえ: 〜はもとより、〜も…
  • Also seen as 〜はもとよりのこと and, before a noun, 〜はもとより〜も含めて

Examples

  • We're getting inquiries not just domestically but from overseas as well.

  • We fall behind competitors on price, needless to say, and on delivery time too.

  • Not to mention the president, every board member opposes this proposal.

  • We'll prepare the minutes in English, as well as the meeting materials of course.

  • We need to review not only our technical capability but even our sales structure.