GrammarN32 min read2026-02-17

〜だけでなく

Grammar pattern expressing 'not only A, but also B' to add additional items or qualities

Meaning

〜だけでなく indicates that beyond the first mentioned thing, there is something else as well. It's commonly used in the pattern 'A だけでなく、B も...' meaning 'not only A, but also B.' The more casual spoken form is だけじゃなく. This pattern works with verbs, adjectives, na-adjectives, and nouns.

Formation

Part of speechFormation
动词普通形だけでなく
い形容词だけでなく
な形容词 なだけでなく
名词だけでなく

Examples

  1. 京都のもみじがとてもきれいで有名です。清水寺だけでなく、円山公園のもみじもとても素晴らしいです。
    Kyoto's autumn leaves are famous for being very beautiful. Not only Kiyomizu Temple, but the maple leaves in Maruyama Park are also wonderful.

  2. 彼は運動神経がとてもよくて、野球やテニスだけでなく、サッカーも上手です。
    He has excellent athletic ability and is good not only at baseball and tennis, but also at soccer.

  3. 田中さんは真面目なだけでなく、とても親切である。
    Tanaka is not only serious and honest, but also very kind.

Summary

  • Use だけでなく to express 'not only...but also' when listing multiple items or qualities
  • The pattern is 'A だけでなく、B も' with the second item often followed by も (also)
  • Attach だけでなく directly to nouns, verbs in plain form, i-adjectives, or na-adjectives + な

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