〜だけでなく

§ What 「〜だけでなく」 means

The Japanese phrase 「〜だけでなく」 (n-dake de naku) is a very useful grammatical structure. It literally translates to "not only... but also." This means you use it when you want to say that something isn't just one thing, but includes another as well. Think of it as adding information – you're not just confirming one fact, you're expanding on it.

DEFINITION

Not only... but also. Used to indicate that something is true for one thing, and additionally true for another.

When you break it down, 「だけ」 (dake) means "only" or "just." The 「でなく」 (de naku) part comes from 「ではない」 (de wa nai), which means "is not." So, 「〜だけでなく」 literally means "not only ~." The implied "but also" comes from the natural flow of the sentence. You state what it's *not just*, and then you continue with what else it *is*.

This structure is commonly used to emphasize that something has multiple qualities, characteristics, or is applicable in multiple situations. It’s a great way to add depth and detail to your sentences, showing that you understand more than just the surface level.

§ When to use 「〜だけでなく」

People use 「〜だけでなく」 in a variety of situations. Here are some common ones:

• Adding extra positive attributes: When you want to praise something for more than one good quality.
• Highlighting multiple negative aspects: When you want to point out more than one flaw or problem.
• Showing a wider scope: When something applies to more than one group, place, or time.
• Expanding on information: When you want to provide a more complete picture of a situation or topic.

It's a versatile phrase that allows you to connect ideas and create more complex, nuanced sentences. It's often used in formal and informal settings, making it a very practical phrase to learn. You'll hear it in news reports, see it in articles, and even use it in daily conversations when you want to express a richer meaning.

§ How to connect 「〜だけでなく」

Connecting 「〜だけでなく」 is straightforward. It generally attaches to the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives, and nouns.

NOUN + だけでなく

Just add 「だけでなく」 directly after the noun.

He is not only a student, but also a soccer player.

I-ADJECTIVE + だけでなく

Use the plain form of the i-adjective.

This book is not only interesting, but also beneficial.

NA-ADJECTIVE + なだけでなく

Remember to add 「な」 before 「だけでなく」.

She is not only kind, but also smart.

VERB (PLAIN FORM) + だけでなく

Use the plain form of the verb (dictionary form, ta-form, nai-form, etc.).

He can not only speak Japanese, but also write it.

Mastering 「〜だけでなく」 will significantly improve your ability to express complex ideas in Japanese. It allows you to build richer, more descriptive sentences and convey a deeper understanding of the subjects you're discussing. Keep practicing with different types of words, and you'll get the hang of it quickly!

Hello, Japanese learners! Today we're looking at a super useful phrase: 〜だけでなく (dake de naku). This means "not only... but also." It's a great way to add detail and connect ideas in your conversations and writing. It’s practical, widely used, and will definitely make your Japanese sound more natural.

Let's break it down and see how it works in different situations.

§ What does it mean?

Meaning

"Not only X, but also Y." It emphasizes that something has more than one quality or that multiple things are true.

You attach 〜だけでなく to a noun, verb, or adjective. If it's a noun, you often use の before だけでなく. For verbs and adjectives, you use their plain form.

§ At Work

In a professional setting, you'll hear 〜だけでなく when people are discussing skills, project benefits, or team contributions. It helps to highlight multiple positive aspects.

Kare wa Eigo dake de naku, Chūgokugo mo hanasemasu. (He can speak not only English, but also Chinese.)

Kono purojekuto wa kosuto sakugen dake de naku, kokyaku manzokudo mo kōjō sasemasu. (This project will not only cut costs, but also improve customer satisfaction.)

§ At School

In an academic environment, you'll hear 〜だけでなく when discussing student abilities, curriculum features, or research findings.

Kanojo wa benkyō ga dekiru dake de naku, undō mo tokui desu. (She is not only good at studying, but also good at sports.)

Kono daigaku wa gakumon dake de naku, kagai katsudō mo jūjitsu shiteimasu. (This university is not only strong in academics, but also rich in extracurricular activities.)

§ In the News

News reports often use 〜だけでなく to provide comprehensive information, detailing multiple impacts or aspects of an event.

Konkai no jishin wa Nihon dake de naku, shūhenkoku ni mo eikyō o ataemashita. (This earthquake affected not only Japan, but also neighboring countries.)

Atarashii seisaku wa keizai seichō dake de naku, kankyō hogo ni mo kōken shimasu. (The new policy will contribute not only to economic growth, but also to environmental protection.)

• Connective phrase: It ties two related but distinct points together.
• Emphasis: It highlights the breadth or depth of something.
• Versatile: Use it with nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

By actively listening for and using 〜だけでなく, you'll find your Japanese sounding more complete and sophisticated. Practice these examples, and try to create your own! It's a phrase you'll encounter often, and mastering it will significantly boost your communication skills.

§ Mistakes People Make with 〜だけでなく

Let's talk about some common pitfalls when using 〜だけでなく. This phrase is super useful for saying 'not only... but also,' but it's easy to make mistakes if you're not careful. Here are the main things to watch out for.

§ Mistake 1: Forgetting the particle before だけでなく

This is a big one. 〜だけでなく usually needs a particle before だけでなく, especially when connecting nouns or noun phrases. The particle depends on the grammatical function of the element it's attached to. Common particles include の (no), が (ga), を (o), に (ni), で (de), と (to), へ (e), etc.

Bad Example

彼は日本語だけでなく英語も話せる。
(Kare wa Nihongo dake de naku Eigo mo hanaseru.)
This is grammatically incorrect. You're missing a particle after 日本語.

Good Example

彼は日本語だけでなく英語も話せる。
(Kare wa Nihongo が dake de naku Eigo mo hanaseru.)
Hint: He can speak not only Japanese but also English. (Here, 日本語 is the object of 'speak,' so を is often used, but が can also indicate the object when emphasizing ability.)

§ Mistake 2: Using it for simple conjunctions

〜だけでなく implies a 'not only... but also' relationship, meaning the second item adds something extra or surprising to the first. Don't use it for simple 'and' statements where there's no added emphasis or unexpected element.

Bad Example

私はりんごだけでなくバナナも好きです。
(Watashi wa ringo dake de naku banana mo suki desu.)
While technically understandable, this sounds a bit overly dramatic if you just mean 'I like apples and bananas.'

Good Example (simple 'and')

私はりんごとバナナが好きです。
(Watashi wa ringo to banana ga suki desu.)
Hint: I like apples and bananas.

In this good example, the wonderful atmosphere adds to the restaurant's appeal beyond just the food, so 〜だけでなく works well.

§ Mistake 3: Incorrectly pairing it with the second clause

The second part of the sentence often uses も (mo) or even other conjunctions to reinforce the 'also' meaning. Make sure your second clause logically follows and uses appropriate particles/conjunctions.

• Often, the second element will be followed by も.

  彼は英語だけでなく、フランス語も話せる。
  Hint: He can speak not only English but also French.

• Sometimes, you might see other phrases like 〜ばかりでなく (bakari de naku) or 〜のみならず (nomi narazu) which have a similar meaning but might carry slightly different nuances or be used in more formal contexts. Stick to 〜だけでなく for now, but be aware that variations exist.

§ Putting it all together

The key to mastering 〜だけでなく is to pay close attention to the particles and the logical flow between the two parts of your sentence. Always ask yourself:

• Is there a particle needed before だけでなく? If so, which one?
• Does the second part truly add something significant, or is it just a simple 'and'?
• Is the second part correctly linked, often with も?

Practice these points, and you'll be using 〜だけでなく like a pro in no time!

§ What does "〜だけでなく" mean?

The Japanese phrase 〜だけでなく (dake de naku) literally translates to 'not only...'. It's used when you want to say 'not only A, but also B'. It connects two clauses, emphasizing that the second clause (B) is an additional fact or consequence to the first clause (A).

Japanese Word

〜だけでなく

Definition

Not only... but also.

CEFR Level

B1

§ How to use "〜だけでなく"

You attach 〜だけでなく to the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, and na-adjectives. For nouns, you can attach it directly, or add の before it, depending on the nuance. The key is that it always emphasizes that there's more to the situation than just the first part.

Kare wa Nihongo dake de naku, Eigo mo hanasemasu.

He can speak not only Japanese, but also English.

Kono resutoran wa ryōri ga oishii dake de naku, fun'iki mo ii desu.

This restaurant is not only delicious, but the atmosphere is also good.

§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives

There are a few other ways to express 'not only... but also' or similar ideas in Japanese. Understanding the nuances will help you choose the right one.

• 〜だけでなく (dake de naku): This is a straightforward way to say 'not only A, but also B'. It's versatile and can be used in most situations when you want to list an additional positive or negative point. It has a neutral tone.

Kare wa shigoto ga dekiru dake de naku, seikaku mo ii desu.

He is not only good at his job, but also has a good personality.

• 〜ばかりでなく (bakari de naku): This is very similar to 〜だけでなく and often interchangeable. However, 〜ばかりでなく can sometimes carry a slightly stronger emphasis on 'not just A, but even B'. It can imply a bit more surprise or a greater degree of the second part. Think of it as 'not merely A, but B as well'.

Kono eiga wa kodomo bakari de naku, otona mo tanoshime masu.

This movie can be enjoyed by not only children, but also adults.

• 〜上に (ue ni): This phrase means 'on top of A, B is also true'. It often implies that the second point (B) adds to or intensifies the first point (A), often in a positive or negative cumulative way. It can sometimes sound a bit more formal than 〜だけでなく.

Kare wa atama ga ii ue ni, yasashii.

He is intelligent, and on top of that, kind.

In summary, 〜だけでなく is your solid, go-to phrase for 'not only... but also'. If you want to add a bit more emphasis or surprise, consider 〜ばかりでなく. And if you're talking about piling on additional qualities or facts, 〜上に is a good alternative. Practice using them in different contexts to get a feel for their subtle differences.