Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
This grammar pattern means “not only… but also,” “as well as,” or “in addition to.” It signifies that something is true for one thing, and extends to include another, often emphasizing the additional element.
🎯 Primary Function
To add further information or a consequence that extends beyond the initial statement. It highlights an additional positive or negative aspect, connecting two clauses or phrases where the second element is an expansion of the first, often with an intensified or significant meaning.
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb (plain form) + のみならず
I-adjective (plain form) + のみならず
Na-adjective stem + である + のみならず (or な + のみならず, though である is more formal and common)
Noun + のみならず
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Highly formal and suitable for academic discussions, official reports, and formal presentations.
Informal Situations
Rarely used in casual conversation among friends or family.
Written Language
Primarily used in written language such as essays, research papers, news articles, formal letters, and literary works.
Spoken Language
Less common in daily spoken Japanese, but can be heard in formal speeches, academic lectures, or highly polished presentations.
💡 Common Applications
Expanding on a characteristic or attribute.
Used to state that a person or thing possesses more than one notable quality.
Example: 彼は日本語のみならず、英語も流暢に話すことができる。 (He can speak not only Japanese but also English fluently.)
Adding another consequence or effect.
Used to indicate that an action or event led to multiple outcomes, often highlighting a significant or broader impact.
Example: その事件は地域住民に不安を与えたのみならず、経済にも大きな影響を及ぼした。 (That incident not only caused anxiety among local residents but also had a great impact on the economy.)
Listing multiple reasons or factors.
Used to present several reasons contributing to a situation or a multi-faceted aspect of something.
Example: この製品はデザインのみならず、その機能性でも評価されている。 (This product is valued not only for its design but also for its functionality.)
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal and written contexts; infrequent in daily spoken Japanese.
Difficulty
JLPT N2
Example Sentences
彼は日本語のみならず、英語も流暢に話すことができる。
He can speak not only Japanese but also English fluently.
このレストランは料理の味が良いのみならず、店の雰囲気も素晴らしい。
This restaurant’s food is not only delicious, but the atmosphere is also wonderful.
その事件は地域住民に不安を与えたのみならず、経済にも大きな影響を及ぼした。
That incident not only caused anxiety among local residents but also had a great impact on the economy.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Formal and Literary Expression
「のみならず」 carries a very formal and often literary tone. It is suitable for academic writing, official reports, and formal speeches.
Example: この施策は経済成長に貢献するのみならず、社会の安定にも寄与するだろう。(This policy will not only contribute to economic growth but also to social stability.)
Emphasis on the Second Part
While expressing “not only A but also B,” it often subtly emphasizes B as an additional, and sometimes more significant or surprising, element.
Example: 彼の研究は学術界のみならず、一般社会にも大きな影響を与えた。(His research impacted not only the academic world but also the general public significantly.)
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using in Casual Conversation
✅ Avoid using 「のみならず」 in casual, everyday conversations. It will sound overly formal and unnatural.
For informal contexts, use 「だけでなく」 or 「ばかりでなく」 instead. For example, instead of 「あの店は美味しいのみならず、安い」(too formal), use 「あの店は美味しいだけでなく、安い」。
❌ Incorrect Conjugation with Na-adjectives
✅ When connecting to a Na-adjective, use the stem followed by 「である」 before 「のみならず」 for formal contexts.
Incorrect: 「彼は親切なのみならず、頭もいい。」 Correct: 「彼は親切であるのみならず、頭もいい。」 The 「である」 makes the connection grammatically precise and maintains the formal tone.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: High politeness level. It is used to convey a sophisticated, precise, and objective tone, often in formal or academic discourse.
Social Situations: Appropriate for professional settings, academic conferences, written reports, newspaper articles, political statements, and formal lectures. It is rarely heard in private, informal social interactions.
Regional Variations: There are no significant regional variations in the usage or meaning of 「のみならず」 across Japan. Its formality makes it fairly standardized.
🔍 Subtle Differences
のみならず vs. だけでなく
「のみならず」 is significantly more formal and literary. 「だけでなく」 is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. 「のみならず」 often implies a deeper, broader, or more impactful addition.
When to use: Use 「のみならず」 when writing formal documents, delivering formal speeches, or aiming for a refined and sophisticated expression. Use 「だけでなく」 for general “not only… but also” statements in most situations.
のみならず vs. ばかりでなく
「ばかりでなく」 is less formal than 「のみならず」 and often carries a nuance of “not only… but also *even* (something unexpected or surprising).” 「のみならず」 is a more neutral additive expression.
When to use: Choose 「のみならず」 for a straightforward, formal addition of information. Use 「ばかりでなく」 when you want to subtly convey an element of surprise or emphasis on the added part, especially if it’s unexpected.
のみならず vs. 上に (うえに)
While both mean “in addition to” or “on top of that,” 「上に」 often implies a cumulative effect where the second point adds to or intensifies the first, sometimes with a negative or positive implication. 「のみならず」 focuses more on expanding the scope of what is true, adding another facet without necessarily implying intensification.
When to use: Use 「のみならず」 when you want to state that something is true in multiple aspects or has multiple consequences. Use 「上に」 when you want to convey that something is true, and *on top of that*, something else (often related) is also true, making the situation more pronounced.
📝 Conjugation Notes
– Verbs and I-adjectives: Connect directly to their plain (dictionary/plain past/plain negative) form. – Nouns: Connect directly. – Na-adjectives: Connect the stem with 「である」 (e.g., 便利であるのみならず). The simpler 「便利なのみならず」 is sometimes seen but 「である」 is more grammatically correct and fitting for the formality of 「のみならず」.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The pronunciation is の・み・な・ら・ず (no-mi-na-ra-zu). Ensure a clear, even pronunciation without undue stress on any particular syllable. The “na-ra-zu” part should flow smoothly.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of 「のみ」 (only) and 「ならず」 (not becoming/not stopping at). So, it’s “not stopping at only A, but also B.” This helps to remember the additive nature of the grammar.
Vocabulary List
流暢
ryuuchou
fluent
雰囲気
fun’iki
atmosphere
事件
jiken
incident
地域住民
chiiki juumin
local residents
不安
fuan
anxiety
及ぼす
oyobosu
to exert, to cause (an effect/impact)
歌声
singing voice
Kanji List
只
ただ
only (component in のみ)
流
なが・りゅう
flow
暢
のび・ちょう
fluent, smooth
雰
ふん
atmosphere
囲
かこ・い
surround
事
こと・じ
matter, affair
件
けん
case, matter
地
ち・じ
ground, earth
域
いき
area, region
住
じゅう・す
reside
民
みん
people, nation
Practice Exercises
この映画は子供＿＿＿、大人も楽しめる内容だ。
のみならず
だけでなく
ばかりでなく
上に
彼は優秀＿＿＿、人柄も素晴らしい。
であるのみならず
なのみならず
のみならず
のみならずである
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