Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 5: 17/22

はもちろんNot only but also, Let alone, Not to mention, Of course

Structure

Noun (A) + はもちろん + Noun (B) + も(1)

(1) さえ

Details

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About はもちろん

はもちろん, or occasionally は勿論(もちろん), is a phrase in Japanese that presents (A) as being something obvious, while (B) should still be considered/mentioned. In this expression, the adverbial particle は presents (A) as being a stand-alone topic, before the adverb もちろん 'naturally' emphasizes that (A) is what it is. After this, the (B) part of the sentence will describe some other factor that is worth mentioning.

はもちろん will be used directly after noun (A), before the sentence will go on to discuss noun (B). This construction can be translated as 'not only (A), but (B)', 'not to mention (A), (B)', and other similar English expressions.

  • パソコンのことはもちろん、電化(でんか)製品(せいひん)の事(こと)ならなんでも聞(き)いてください。

    Please ask me anything, not only about computers but also other electronics.

    • 数学(すうがく)はもちろん、学校(がっこう)の科目(かもく)を全(すべて)て一人(ひとり)で教(おし)えることができる人(ひと)を探(さが)している。

      We are looking for someone not only who can teach math, but every subject in this school by themselves.

      In many cases, despite (A) being the obvious factor, (B) is being highlighted as sharing similar qualities to (A). This means that in はもちろん sentences, も will almost always be seen after (B).

      • 彼女(かのじょ)は日本語(にほんご)はもちろん、韓国(かんこく)語(ご)も話(はな)すことができます。

        Not only can she speak Japanese, but she can also speak Korean.

        • この作家(さっか)の本(ほん)はもちろん、歌(うた)もうまいから人気(にんき)がある。

          This author is popular, not only because of his book, but also because he is a good singer.

          Caution

          While quite similar in meaning to だけでなく, はもちろん is quite a bit more formal. Due to this, it may sound quite stiff in friendly conversation, unless particularly emphasizing something.

          Related

          Examples

          --:--

            平日(へいじつ)はもちろん、土日(どにち)も働(はたら)いている。

            I work not only on weekdays, but also weekends.

            ここのそば屋(や)はそばはもちろん、カレーも美味(おい)しい。

            This soba restaurant not only has delicious soba, but also delicious curry.

            彼(かれ)は、英語(えいご)はもちろん、日本語(にほんご)も話(はな)せる。

            He is not only able to speak in English, but also in Japanese.

            父(ちち)は、スマホはもちろん、ガラケーも持(も)っていません。

            Not only a smartphone, dad doesn't even have a flip-phone.

            勉強(べんきょう)はもちろん、運動(うんどう)もできるのだからすごい人(ひと)だ。

            He is an amazing person because he is not only good in academics, but also in sports.

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          はもちろん – Grammar Discussion

          Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

          • kaiwin-sulli

            kaiwin-sulli

          • ljoekelsoey

            ljoekelsoey

            I’m having trouble distinguishing between はもちろん and ばかりでなく. Are the interchangeable?

          • mrnoone

            mrnoone

            @ljoekelsoey
            Hey

            Those expressions are mostly interchangeable. Notice the differences in conjugation though!
            はもちろん can only follow nouns (of course it can also follow verbs/adjectives nominalized with こと、but not directly).

            ばかりでなく can follow nouns, verbs, adjectives directly, without nominalizers. (remember to add な if it follows なadjective though)

            Another thing is that はもちろん is more indirect. That is, “not only, but also” is implied. ばかりでなく on the other hand simply means “not only but also”.

            I hope it helps,
            Cheers!

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