Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 8: 15/18

だけでなく

Not only… but also

It is often used together with second noun + particle も (meaning "also") in main clause.

Structure

Verb + だけ + でなく(1)
［い］Adjective + だけ + でなく(1)
［な］Adjective + な + だけ + でなく(1)
Noun + だけ + でなく(1)

(1) ではなく（て）、じゃなく（て）

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About だけでなく

だけでなく (an abbreviation of だけではなく) is a common construction in Japanese which translates to 'not only (A), but also (B)'. Sometimes the (B) statement may be left unsaid. This expression may connect to any (A) phrase that だけ would usually be able to connect to.
  • 痩(や)せるためには運動(うんどう)をするだけでなく、食(た)べるものにも気(き)を付(つ)けなくてはいけない。
    To lose weight, not only should you exercise, but you must also be careful of what you eat.
  • 名古屋(なごや)の夏(なつ)は暑(あつ)いだけでなく、湿気(しっけ)もひどい。
    Summer in Nagoya is not only hot, but the humidity is terrible too.
  • 田舎(いなか)は静(しずか)かなだけでなく、空気(くうき)もきれいだ。
    The countryside is not only quiet, but the air is also clean.
  • トーマスは車(くるま)だけでなく、バイクとボートも持(も)っている。
    Not only does Thomas own a car, but he also has a bike, and a boat.
Caution
The で in では is not the particle で, but the auxiliary verb だ in its conjunctive form. は is regularly dropped from では expressions, or it may also be changed to じゃ, for ease of pronunciation.
  • タケルはピアノだけじゃなくギターも弾(ひ)けると聞(き)いた。
    I heard that Takeru can not only play the piano, but also the guitar.
The conjunction particle て should follow なく, as it is the conjunctive form of the い-Adjective ない. However, the て in this particular construction is very often omitted.
  • トムは日本語(にほんご)だけでなくて、中国語(ちゅうごくご)も話(はな)せる。
    Not only can Tom speak Japanese, but also Chinese.
Caution
In writing, if there is no comma (known as a 読点(とうてん) in Japanese) after なく, the full なくて construction will be required. When a comma is present, both forms are grammatically correct.
  • 角(かど)にあるラーメン屋(や)はおいしいだけでなくて量(りょう)も多(おお)い。
    The ramen shop on the corner is not only delicious, but the portions are large too.

Examples

  • 私(わたし)だけでなく、私(わたし)の友達(ともだち)も日本語(にほんご)が喋(しゃべ)れる。

    Not only me, but also my friends can speak Japanese.

  • あの人(ひと)は日本語(にほんご)だけでなく、韓国語(かんこくご)、中国語(ちゅうごくご)とタイ語(ご)も話(はな)せる。

    That person can speak not only Japanese, but also Korean, Chinese, and Thai.

  • ジョニー・デップはカナダだけでなく、日本(にほん)も訪(おとず)れたことがある。

    Johnny Depp has not only visited Canada, but has visited Japan as well.

  • 彼女(かのじょ)だけでなく、私(わたし)もこの映画(えいが)が好(す)きだよ。

    Not only does she like this movie but I do too.

  • 彼氏(かれし)が料理(りょうり)だけでなく、家事(かじ)も出来(でき)るから、凄(すご)い助(たす)かる。

    Not only can my boyfriend cook, but he can also do housework, so it is really helpful.

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だけでなく – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    Hey,
    I have added following information: " It is often used together with second noun + も (meaning “also”) in main clause…" and applied formatting to all ”も" used in examples.

    Does it make it more clear?

    Cheers!

  • narfi

    narfi

    Why is だけでなくて not accepted in this grammar point, but it is accepted in だけでなく(て)～も (https://bunpro.jp/grammar_points/481)?

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    Excellent question! I have updated the grammar point to accept だけでなくて as an alternate answer. Cheers!

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