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〜ばかりか・〜ばかりでなく

not only … but (even)

Plain form / Noun + ばかりか … も / まで / さえ (な-adj + な)

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ばかりか adds something to a first point, usually something more surprising or more extreme: 彼は約束を忘れたばかりか、謝りもしなかった, "not only did he forget the promise, he didn't even apologise".

The second half often has も, まで or さえ to mark the addition: 大人ばかりか、子どもまで夢中になっている, "not only adults but even children are hooked".

It works for good things too: 安いばかりか、サービスもいい. ばかりでなく is a slightly more neutral equivalent, close to だけでなく.

Compare どころか, which rejects the first idea ("far from"). ばかりか keeps the first idea and piles more on top.

Examples

  • 彼かれは約束やくそくを忘わすれたばかりか、謝あやまりもしなかった。

    Not only did he forget the promise, he didn't even apologise.

  • この店みせは安やすいばかりか、サービスもいい。

    This shop is not only cheap, but its service is good too.

  • 彼女かのじょは英語えいごばかりか、フランス語ごも話はなせる。

    She speaks not only English but French as well.

  • 雨あめが降ふったばかりか、風かぜも強つよかった。

    Not only did it rain, but it was windy too.

  • 大人おとなばかりか、子こどもまで夢中むちゅうになっている。

    Not only adults but even children are hooked on it.

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