Structure
Noun + にほかならない(1)
(1) にほかならぬ
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Formal
About にほかならない
に他ならない is a grammar pattern used with nouns 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.
Being a combination of the noun 他 '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, に他ならぬ may also sometimes be seen.
- Aチームがこの大会で優勝できたのは岡村コーチのおかげにほかならぬ。The reason why team A was able to win this tournament is simply because of coach Okamura.
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我が社の商品が人気なのは広告が印象的だからにほかならぬ。The reason our company's products are popular is simply because our advertisements leave a lasting impression.
Synonyms
Examples
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第一にすべきは人命にほかなりません。
First and foremost is nothing but living your life.
三位という結果は彼の実力にほかならない。
Getting (the result of) 3rd was simply due to his skill.
結局「笑い」というのは好き嫌いにほかならない。
In the end, 'laughing' is simply up to your likes and dislikes. (好き嫌い = noun)
彼があの番組に出たのは、宣伝にほかならない。
Him going on that show was simply for publicity.
通常の事故の原因はスピード違反にほかならない。
The common cause of the accidents is simply people going too fast.
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Further breakdown and example sentences
JapaneseTest4You
にほかならない in action
NihongoDayByDay
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新完全マスター文法 N2
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にほかならない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (4 in total)
Pablunpro
Hi!
In the explanation of this grammar point, it says that “に他ならない is a grammar pattern used with verbs to indicate that…” though the pattern is then shown to be used with nouns.
Further to this, I see in the JGram link that other constructions are possible:
PLAIN FORMS (Verb, i/na Adjectives, Noun) + にほかならない
- But in case of Noun and na-Adjective だ is not added
- There are also Noun/na-Adjective + である
- when expressing reason から can also be added
In particular, the last one (addition of から) can be seen in the example sentences provided in the grammar point, as already pointed out by Bruinvis.
Finally, examples are given of the use of this pattern with verbs by nominalizing them with もの.
Zaichiki
A question about an example sentence and the provided translation:
この会社がここまで成長したのは、彼との出会いがあったからにほかならない
Bunpro translation: Being able to get this far at this company is thanks to none other than meeting him. - I suppose it implies that “someone got this far”, not “the company got this far”.My understanding (rough translation): The fact that this company has grown this much is none other than because (they) met him."
Am I correctly understanding that the subject of the Japanese sentence is “the company” that grew, not that “someone grew in the company”? Or am I mising something?
Pablunpro
Hi!
My understanding is the same as yours: it is the company the one that has grown (up to this point). Thus the use of が. Furthermore, the second meaning listed in Jisho for 成長 is coherent with this understanding.
If someone grew in the company, it might be ‘この会社でここまで成長したのは…’.
HTH!
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