“〜bakari de naku 〜 mo”: Not Only 〜, But Also 〜 [JLPT N3]

Content by NTJ Kuma · Nihongo to Japan editorial team · Updated July 27, 2026

「英語ばかりでなく、中国語も話せる」 — not only A, but B too (cumulative listing).

「内容がいいばかりでなく、値段も安い」 — 「ばかりでなく〜も」, “not only… but also…”

「この本は内容がいいばかりでなく、値段も安い」 (this book isn't only good in content, it's also cheap) — 「(plain form／noun／na-adj な) ＋ ばかりでなく〜も」 means “not only A, but also B,” adding B beyond A, with the latter often taking 「も」. It's the more written version of 「だけでなく」. This guide covers 「ばかりでなく〜も」's attachment and use, and separates it from 「だけでなく／ばかりか」.

Core: add B beyond A (not only… but also…)

「〜ばかりでなく〜も」 = “not only A, but also B,” adding B onto A (widening the scope):

• A ばかりでなく B も: 頭がいいばかりでなく、性格もいい (not only smart, but also nice).
• The latter often takes 「も／まで」 to stress the addition.
• More written (colloquial uses 「だけでなく」).

Feel: A is already so, and B is even more (adding, deepening).

How to Connect

例句與情境

• この本は内容がいいばかりでなく、値段も安い。(This book isn't only good in content, it's also cheap.) — addition
• 彼女は英語ばかりでなく、中国語も話せる。(She can speak not only English but also Chinese.) — noun
• この店は安いばかりでなく、味もいい。(This place isn't only cheap, the food's good too.) — addition
• 彼は遅刻したばかりでなく、謝りもしなかった。(He not only was late, he didn't even apologize.) — negative addition
• 子供ばかりでなく、大人も楽しめる。(Not only kids, adults can enjoy it too.) — widening scope

⚠️ Common mistakes to avoid

① The latter often takes 「も／まで」. After ばかりでなく, 「〜も (also)」「〜まで (even)」 often follows to stress the addition: 頭がいいばかりでなく、性格もいい (also nice). Without 「も」 it's weaker; with it, more natural and complete.

② 「ばかりでなく」 (written) vs 「だけでなく」 (colloquial). Almost the same meaning (not only… but also…), but ばかりでなく is more written, formal; だけでなく is more colloquial, general. Daily speech mostly uses だけでなく; writing/formal uses ばかりでなく (see 〈だけでなく〉).

③ Difference from 「ばかりか」. ばかりでなく〜も = a plain addition (not only A but also B); ばかりか = not only A, but even (a more surprising, beyond-expectation) B (with an “even this…” surprise, see 〈ばかりか〉). ばかりか is stronger, more unexpected.

🔄 Compare: ばかりでなく／だけでなく／ばかりか

💡 How to remember this

「ばかりでなく〜も」 is the additive pattern “not only A, but also B” — adding B beyond A to widen the scope/degree (内容がいいばかりでなく、値段も安い = not only good content, also cheap). Two points: ① the latter often takes 「も／まで」 (性格もいい, 大人まで楽しめる), which reads more naturally; ② it's the written version of 「だけでなく」 — same meaning, ばかりでなく more formal, だけでなく more colloquial. The difference from 「ばかりか」: ばかりでなく is a plain addition, ばかりか carries an “even… (surprise)” emphasis. For writing or formal settings, 「ばかりでなく〜も」 has weight.

❓ Questions you might have

Q: How do I tell 「ばかりでなく」 from 「だけでなく」?

Almost the same meaning (both “not only A but also B”), differing in register. 「ばかりでなく」 = more written, formal: この製品は品質がいいばかりでなく、価格も手頃だ (this product isn't only high-quality, its price is also reasonable — a formal, written feel). 「だけでなく」 = more colloquial, general (fine for both speech and writing): 安いだけでなく、おいしい (not only cheap, also tasty). So papers, formal reports, and weighty occasions use 「ばかりでなく」; daily conversation uses 「だけでなく」 more naturally. Both often take 「も」 in the latter (〜も…). (だけでなく: see its own guide.)

Q: How does 「ばかりでなく」 differ from 「ばかりか」?

By strength and surprise. 「ばかりでなく〜も」 = a plain addition “not only A, also B” (B is a reasonable addition): 頭がいいばかりでなく、性格もいい (not only smart, also nice). 「ばかりか」 = not only A, but even B (beyond expectation, more dramatic), with surprise: 頭がいいばかりか、スポーツも万能だ (not only smart, even great at sports — even that, surprising). 「ばかりか」's B is usually “going further, surprising,” with a stronger tone. For a plain listed addition use ばかりでなく; to stress an “even…” surprise use ばかりか (see 〈ばかりか〉).

🖊️ Practice Quiz

Q1. 「この本は内容がいい___、値段も手頃だ。」(not only good content, but also reasonably priced)

(A) ばかりでなく　(B) ものの　(C) どころか　(D) からこそ

Q2. 「彼女は___ばかりでなく、責任感も強い。」(not only diligent — 真面目) What's the correct form?

(A) 真面目な　(B) 真面目　(C) 真面目で　(D) 真面目に

Q3. 「彼は遅刻した___、謝りさえしなかった。」(didn't even apologize — with surprise) What's most natural?

(A) ばかりか　(B) ばかりでなく　(C) からには　(D) わりに

Q4. What relationship does 「ばかりでなく」 express?

(A) adding B on top of A (not only A, but B too)

(B) choosing between A and B

(C) because A, so B

(D) although A, B

Q5. Which sentence is unnatural?

(A) 雨ばかりでなく、風も強い。　(B) 安いばかりでなく、おいしい。

(C) 元気ばかりでなく、頭もいい。　(D) 英語ばかりでなく、中国語も話せる。

Answer Key

1. (A) ばかりでなく ── 内容がいいばかりでなく、値段も〜 = not only A, but also B (additive).

2. (A) 真面目な ── a な-adjective ＋ な ＋ ばかりでなく: 真面目なばかりでなく.

3. (A) ばかりか ── ばかりか with さえ adds surprise (didn't even apologize): 遅刻したばかりか、謝りさえしなかった.

4. (A) ── adding B on top of A (not only A, but B too).

5. (C) 元気ばかりでなく ── 元気 is a な-adjective and needs な: 元気なばかりでなく (so the bare 元気ばかりでなく is unnatural).