immersionlog

〜だけでなく

not only … but also

Noun / Plain form + だけでなく … も (な-adj + な)

Sign up free to review this point on a spaced schedule.

だけでなく means "not only": 彼は英語だけでなく、中国語も話せる, "he speaks not only English but Chinese too".

The second half usually has も, adding the extra item. It works after nouns, verbs and adjectives: 安いだけでなく、おいしい, "not just cheap, but good too". な-adjectives keep な: 上手なだけでなく.

In speech, it's often だけじゃなく; in writing, だけではなく. ばかりでなく is a more formal equivalent.

Don't drop the でなく part: だけ alone is "only", so 英語だけ話せる means the opposite, "he speaks only English".

It's a useful way to pile up good points when recommending something, and it's common in reviews, adverts and self-introductions.

Examples

  • 彼かれは英語えいごだけでなく、中国語ちゅうごくごも話はなせる。

    He speaks not only English but Chinese too.

  • この店みせは安やすいだけでなく、おいしい。

    This place isn't just cheap, it's good too.

  • 子こどもだけでなく、大人おとなも楽たのしめる映画えいがだ。

    It's a film that adults can enjoy, not only children.

  • 彼女かのじょは歌うたが上手じょうずなだけでなく、ダンスもできる。

    She's not only a good singer, she can dance too.

  • 日本にほんだけでなく、世界中せかいじゅうで人気にんきがある。

    It's popular not only in Japan but all over the world.

Related