Grammar Info
N2 Lesson 1: 15/21

に他(ほか)ならない
nothing but, none other than, simply

Structure
Casual
Polite
Noun + ほかならない(1)

(1)ほかなら
Noun + ほかなりません
Details
Register Formal
使用域 硬い
Information
に他(ほか)ならない is a grammar pattern used with verbs to indicate that something is ‘definitely (A)’, or ‘nothing but (A)’. Other common translations are ‘none other than (A)’, or ‘simply (A)’.
This expression is often used to emphasize statements, reasons, or causes.
  • かすみさんがみんなに好(す)かれるのはお人(ひと)よしだからに他(ほか)ならない
    The reason why Kasumi-san is liked by everyone is simply because she is a good person.
  • こんな夜(よる)遅(おそ)くに訪問(ほうもん)してくるなんて迷惑(めいわく)に他(ほか)ならない
    Visiting me during such a late time is nothing but a nuisance.
Being a combination of the 名詞(めいし) (noun) 他(ほか) ‘other’ and the negated form of the う-Verb なる ‘to become’. This phrase literally just states that (A) will not become anything other than what it is, as the given definition is already the most accurate.
Caution - In formal situations, particularly formal writing, に他(ほか)ならぬ may also sometimes be seen.
  • Aチームがこの大会(たいかい)で優勝(ゆうしょう)できたのは岡村(おかむら)コーチのおかげにほかならぬ
    The reason why A team was able to win this tournament is simply because of coach Okamura.
  • 我(わ)が社(しゃ)の商品(しょうひん)が人気(にんき)なのは広告(こうこく)が印象的(いんしょうてき)だからにほかならぬ
    The reason why our products are popular is simply because our advertisements leave a lasting impression.
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わが社(しゃ)の今年度(こんねんど)の多大(ただい)な利益(りえき)は顧客(こきゃく)のおかげにほかなりません
Our company's tremendous profit for this fiscal year is thanks to none other than our customers.
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タイタニック号(ごう)の沈没(ちんぼつ)は低(てい)品質(ひんしつ)なリベットに因(よ)ったものにほかならない
The sinking of the Titanic was caused by nothing but low quality rivets.
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通常(つうじょう)の事故(じこ)の原因(げんいん)はスピード違反(いはん)にほかならない
The common cause of the accidents is simply people going too fast.
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Books
新完全マスター文法 N2
Page 104