Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 5: 17/18

は元(もと)より

Not only... but also, Let alone, Of course,

Structure

Noun + はもとより + Phrase
Verb + こと(1) + はもとより + Phrase

(1) の

Details

  • Register

    Formal

About はもとより

は元(もと)より, commonly seen purely in hiragana, is a grammar pattern that indicates 'not only (A), but also (B) ', or 'let alone (A), (B)'. This construction is just a combination of は, the noun 元(もと) 'origin', and より. In this way, it is just highlighting that 'even compared to the original fact of (A), (B)'. Often, (A) will be something that is considered obvious, or the most well known information in regard to the topic.

はもとより may appear after nouns, or verb phrases that have been nominalized with の or こと.

Alternatively, はもとより may be used in structures where it is simply showing that (A) is the base from which (B) is also a fact. Although this may sound similar to the previous meaning, it translates closer to 'from the start, (A) is (B)', or 'by nature, (A) is (B)'. Which meaning is being used will usually be clear in the context of the overall sentence.

Examples

--:--

    レオナルド・ダ・ヴィンチは偉大(いだい)な画家(がか)であることは元(もと)より、一流(いちりゅう)の発明(はつめい)家(か)の一人(ひとり)でもある。

    Leonardo da Vinci is not only a great painter, but is also among one of the top inventors.

    砂漠(さばく)を横切(よこぎ)る際(さい)、暑(あつ)さや脱水(だっすい)は元(もと)より急(きゅう)な洪水(こうずい)が非常(ひじょう)に危険(きけん)です。ウィキペディアによれば、脱水(だっすい)より水難(すいなん)で死(し)ぬ人(ひと)の方(ほう)が多(おお)いということです。

    When crossing a desert, not only can extreme heat and dehydration be dangerous, but also sudden floods. According to Wikipedia, there are more people who die from drowning than dehydration.

    LINUXというオペレーティングシステムはサーバによく使(つか)われているのは元(もと)より、最近(さいきん)デスクトップのコンピュータの中(なか)で人気(にんき)があるようだ。

    The operating system known as Linux is not only often used on servers, but also seems to be popular on desktops.

    我(わ)が社(しゃ)が製造(せいぞう)する棒(ぼう)茶(ちゃ)は日本(にっぽん)全国(ぜんこく)は元(もと)より、海外(かいがい)でもよく売(う)られている。

    The twig tea manufactured in our company is not only sold all over Japan, but also abroad.

    最近(さいきん)ではコンピューターやスマホは元(もと)より、歯(は)ブラシさえWIFIを備(そな)えている。

    Recently, not only computers and smartphones, but even toothbrushes are equipped with wifi.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

はもとより – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (7 in total)

  • wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    Thanks again for your reply!

    That definitely fits the sense of the example sentence better. You’re right, I was getting stuck on the words “same logic,” but I might suggest those are the wrong words, based on what you’ve provided. “‘Same feeling’ or ‘similar manner’ or ‘in the same way,’” appear to better fit the example sentence. The thing is, those are largely subjective (perhaps except for “similar manner”), whereas “same logic” is mostly objective.

    Is it the case this grammar point is used for both objective and subjective inferences? I ask because the distinction is emphasized in other grammar points, whereas it’s not entirely clear for this one.

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    Err… You’ve reached the extent of my knowledge.
    @mrnoone Would you care to weigh in on this discussion?

  • wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV

    Ha, no worries! I appreciate the helpful feedback thus far.

Got questions about はもとより? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion