Posted inN3 Grammar

Mastering はもちろん: Saying “Not Only… But Also” in Japanese (JLPT N3)

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

Expresses that something is true or happens, and in addition, something else is also true or happens. Often translated as “not only… but also,” “as well as,” or “of course.” The item before はもちろん is presented as something expected or obvious.

🎯 Primary Function

To add information or emphasize that the second item is true, given that the first, more expected item, is true.

📋 Grammar Structure

Noun + はもちろん Phrase ending in Noun + はもちろん

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in formal contexts, though more formal alternatives like ～はもちろんのこと might exist.

😊 Informal Situations

Commonly used in everyday conversation.

✍️ Written Language

Frequently seen in articles, essays, and formal documents.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Widely used in daily speech and presentations.

💡 Common Applications

Listing multiple positive attributes or situations.
Used to say that person/thing A has a certain quality, and person/thing B also has it, or that situation A is true, and situation B is also true.
Example: 彼は日本語はもちろん、英語もペラペラだ。 (He is fluent in English, not only Japanese.)
Adding extra information after stating something obvious.
Used when something is already known or expected, and you want to add another piece of information that is also true.
Example: このレストランは美味しいはもちろん、値段も安い。 (This restaurant is delicious, and on top of that, it’s also cheap.)
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📊
Frequency
Fairly common in both written and spoken Japanese at the intermediate to advanced levels.
🎚️
Difficulty
N3
Example Sentences
東京は人口が多いのはもちろん、物価も高い。
Tokyo not only has a large population, but also high prices.
彼はサッカーはもちろん、野球も得意だ。
He is good at baseball, not only soccer.
このパソコンは性能が良いのはもちろん、デザインも素晴らしい。
This computer not only has good performance, but also a wonderful design.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Focus on the item before はもちろん.
The item placed before はもちろん is something that is already known, expected, or obvious.
Example: 暑い日はエアコンをつけるのはもちろん、水分補給も大切だ。(On hot days, it’s important to hydrate, not just turn on the air conditioner. – Turning on the AC on a hot day is expected/obvious.)
The second part adds further information.
The clause or phrase that follows はもちろん introduces additional information that is also true or relevant.
Example: 彼は料理はもちろん、掃除も完璧だ。(He’s perfect at cleaning, not just cooking. – Cleaning is the additional skill mentioned after the expected skill of cooking.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it when the first item is NOT expected or obvious.
✅ The item before はもちろん should ideally be something that the listener would naturally assume or know.
Using はもちろん implies the first item is a given. If both items are equally new or surprising, other structures like ～だけでなく might be more suitable.
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral.
Social Situations: Applicable in a wide range of social situations.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations.

🔍 Subtle Differences

はもちろん vs ～だけでなく
はもちろん often implies the item before it is more expected or obvious than the item after it. ～だけでなく simply lists two (or more) things without necessarily implying one is more obvious.
When to use: Use はもちろん when the first item is the more expected or basic fact. Use ～だけでなく when simply listing multiple items or facts of similar weight.
はもちろん vs ～はもちろんのこと
～はもちろんのこと is generally considered slightly more formal or emphatic than just はもちろん.
When to use: Use ～はもちろんのこと in more formal writing or speeches, or for added emphasis.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

ははもちろん attaches directly after nouns or phrases ending in a noun. No conjugation is needed.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

もちろん is pronounced “mo-chi-ron”. The “mo” is not stressed, and the “ron” has a slight nasal sound.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of もちろん (mochiron) meaning “of course”. ははもちろん means “X, which is of course true, and Y as well.”

Practice Exercises
このスマホはデザインが素敵なのはもちろん、______も優れている。
機能
値段
色
大きさ
彼女は歌が上手なのはもちろん、______も素晴らしい。
絵
服
性格
車
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