# にとどまらず: not limited to; not only… but also ~

> Learn how to use にとどまらず, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning not limited to, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-ni-todomarazu/

**にとどまらず** means **not limited to; not only… but also ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that the scope or impact of something goes beyond a single area, person, or situation.

This grammar point often appears in formal writing, news articles, academic texts, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to express that the range of influence, effect, or activity extends beyond what is expected or previously stated, **にとどまらず** is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

## What does にとどまらず mean?

Use **にとどまらず** when you want to express that something is not limited to a certain sphere and extends further, often to a larger or more significant scale.

Natural translations include:
- not limited to; not only… but also ~; not confined to

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s or speaker’s purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context.

## How to form にとどまらず

Noun + にとどまらず（に）

Examples of the pattern:
- <ruby>経済<rp>(</rp><rt>けいざい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>問題<rp>(</rp><rt>もんだい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず
- <ruby>国内<rp>(</rp><rt>こくない</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-core">Noun</span>
  <span class="fplus">＋</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">にとどまらず（に）</span>
</div>

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.　**にとどまらず** follows a noun directly; it cannot directly attach to verbs or adjectives. If you need to use a verb, nominalise it first (e.g. 〜することにとどまらず).

## When is にとどまらず used?

Use **にとどまらず** in situations like:
- describing how an influence or phenomenon expands beyond an initial boundary
- emphasising that a subject’s impact or activities cover a wider range than expected
- connecting ideas in formal writing, such as reports, analyses, and news commentary

Tone and register:
- formal and written; often appears in newspapers, academic papers, and business contexts
- Common in test questions, official statements, and JLPT N1 reading

In spoken Japanese, you might hear a slightly softer equivalent like だけでなく, but **にとどまらず** maintains a clear, authoritative tone.

## にとどまらず example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      その<ruby>影響<rp>(</rp><rt>えいきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>経済<rp>(</rp><rt>けいざい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>分野<rp>(</rp><rt>ぶんや</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず、<ruby>文化<rp>(</rp><rt>ぶんか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や<ruby>教育<rp>(</rp><rt>きょういく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にも<ruby>広<rp>(</rp><rt>ひろ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がっている。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">
      The impact is not limited to the economic sphere; it has spread to culture and education as well.
    </div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">expansion</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>活動<rp>(</rp><rt>かつどう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>日本国内<rp>(</rp><rt>にほんこくない</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず、<ruby>世界中<rp>(</rp><rt>せかいじゅう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>で<ruby>注目<rp>(</rp><rt>ちゅうもく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>されている。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">
      His activities are not limited to Japan; they are attracting attention around the world.
    </div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">global reach</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>問題<rp>(</rp><rt>もんだい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>はひとつの<ruby>地域<rp>(</rp><rt>ちいき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず、<ruby>全国<rp>(</rp><rt>ぜんこく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>波及<rp>(</rp><rt>はきゅう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>している。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">
      The issue is not confined to a single region; it is having ripple effects nationwide.
    </div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">escalating scope</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>災害<rp>(</rp><rt>さいがい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>影響<rp>(</rp><rt>えいきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>物理的<rp>(</rp><rt>ぶつりてき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>な<ruby>被害<rp>(</rp><rt>ひがい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず、<ruby>住民<rp>(</rp><rt>じゅうみん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>精神面<rp>(</rp><rt>せいしんめん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にも<ruby>深刻<rp>(</rp><rt>しんこく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>な<ruby>打撃<rp>(</rp><rt>だげき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>与<rp>(</rp><rt>あた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>えた。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">
      The disaster’s impact was not limited to physical damage; it also dealt a severe blow to the residents’ mental well-being.
    </div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">broad consequences</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かの</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>女<rp>(</rp><rt>じょ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>才能<rp>(</rp><rt>さいのう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>歌<rp>(</rp><rt>うた</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず、<ruby>演技<rp>(</rp><rt>えんぎ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>や<ruby>制作<rp>(</rp><rt>せいさく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にも<ruby>秀<rp>(</rp><rt>ひい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>でている。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">
      Her talent is not limited to singing; she also excels in acting and producing.
    </div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">multifaceted</span>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby>研究<rp>(</rp><rt>けんきゅう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>成果<rp>(</rp><rt>せいか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>論文<rp>(</rp><rt>ろんぶん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず、<ruby>実用化<rp>(</rp><rt>じつようか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>も<ruby>進<rp>(</rp><rt>すす</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>められている。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">
      The research results are not limited to papers; practical application is also being pushed forward.
    </div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">application beyond theory</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

After reading each sentence, ask what job **にとどまらず** is doing: extending the scope beyond a given boundary. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

## Nuance of にとどまらず

The key nuance is **exceeding a defined limit, often with an implication of significance or surprise**. This grammar point doesn’t simply list two items—it emphasises that the first item alone would be an insufficient description.

This matters because learners often translate advanced grammar too literally. A pattern may look simple, but it can signal the writer’s attitude, the scope of a rule, or the relationship between two ideas.

For example:
- In context, it carries a formal, analytical weight that a simpler pattern like だけでなく would not convey.
- Compared with **のみならず**, it focuses more on the boundary itself being breached.

## にとどまらず vs のみならず

Both **にとどまらず** and **のみならず** can express “not only… but also”, but they are different.

**にとどまらず**:
- not limited to X (the boundary is important; X is a container or scope being exceeded)

**のみならず**:
- not only X (a classic “AだけでなくBも” in formal register; less about a boundary, more about addition)

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp cmp-a">
    <div class="cmp-head">にとどまらず</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">Boundary emphasis</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Formal, often spatial/figurative limits</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>被害<rp>(</rp><rt>ひがい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>国内<rp>(</rp><rt>こくない</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず、<ruby>海外<rp>(</rp><rt>かいがい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にまで<ruby>及ん<rp>(</rp><rt>およん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だ。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">The damage wasn't limited to Japan—it reached overseas as well.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="cmp cmp-b">
    <div class="cmp-head">のみならず</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">Addition emphasis</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Formal, additive listing</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>国内<rp>(</rp><rt>こくない</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のみならず、<ruby>海外<rp>(</rp><rt>かいがい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>でも<ruby>被害<rp>(</rp><rt>ひがい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>出<rp>(</rp><rt>で</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">Not only in Japan, but damage occurred overseas too.</div>
  </div>
</div>

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence highlighting a boundary being crossed (とどまらず), or simply adding information (のみならず)? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

## Common mistakes with にとどまらず

Watch out for these mistakes:

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>走<rp>(</rp><rt>はし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>るととどまらず、<ruby>跳<rp>(</rp><rt>と</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>んだ。</span>
    </div>
    <div class="note">
      Attached to a verb (<ruby>走る<rp>(</rp><rt>はしる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>) without nominalisation. <strong>とどまらず</strong> needs a noun.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body"><ruby>走<rp>(</rp><rt>はし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ることにとどまらず、<ruby>跳<rp>(</rp><rt>と</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>んだ。</span>
    </div>
    <div class="note">
      Correct: nominaliser <strong>こと</strong> turns the verb into a noun phrase.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
      <span class="mline-body">この<ruby>店<rp>(</rp><rt>みせ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>良<rp>(</rp><rt>よ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>さは<ruby>味<rp>(</rp><rt>あじ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず、<ruby>雰囲気<rp>(</rp><rt>ふんいき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>もいい。</span>
    </div>
    <div class="note">
      Grammatically fine but too formal for a casual cafe review. Use <strong>だけでなく</strong> instead.
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <span class="mark good">✅</span>
      <span class="mline-body">この<ruby>技術<rp>(</rp><rt>ぎじゅつ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>応用<rp>(</rp><rt>おうよう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>は<ruby>製造業<rp>(</rp><rt>せいぞうぎょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず、<ruby>医療<rp>(</rp><rt>いりょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にも<ruby>広<rp>(</rp><rt>ひろ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がっている。</span>
    </div>
    <div class="note">
      Proper formal context; boundary from manufacturing to medicine is clear.
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **にとどまらず**, then rewrite it with **だけでなく**. If you feel the impact of expansion is lost, you've understood the nuance.

## Is にとどまらず on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">JLPT N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <p><strong>Frequency:</strong> moderate — appears in reading comprehension and occasionally in grammar/vocabulary sections.</p>
    <p><strong>What to expect:</strong> questions may ask you to recognise the meaning of a sentence where the scope of influence expands, or to choose the correct particle/noun combination preceding とどまらず.</p>
    <ul class="jlpt-checks">
      <li>Recognise the boundary-exceeding nuance</li>
      <li>Identify correct attachment (Noun + にとどまらず)</li>
      <li>Distinguish from similar expressions in formal passages</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
</div>

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning.

## Practice questions for にとどまらず

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">1</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Write a sentence about a technology whose influence goes beyond its original field. Use <strong>にとどまらず</strong>.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">expansion</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">2</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Think of a person whose fame or talent extends beyond their home country. Express that with <strong>にとどまらず</strong>.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">global</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">3</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Take a news headline about a problem that started locally and grew nationally. Rewrite it using <strong>にとどまらず</strong>.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">real-world</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">4</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Compare <strong>にとどまらず</strong> and <strong>のみならず</strong> in a single context. Explain which fits better and why.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">comparison</span>
  </div>
</div>

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

## Learning path for にとどまらず

To learn **にとどまらず** efficiently, start with its formation, then contrast it with similar patterns, and finally practise in formal contexts.

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">1</span>
    <span class="step-body">Memorise the pattern: <strong>Noun + にとどまらず（に）</strong>. Write five simple combinations like “<ruby>国内<rp>(</rp><rt>こくない</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>問題<rp>(</rp><rt>もんだい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にとどまらず”.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">2</span>
    <span class="step-body">Compare it with <strong>のみならず</strong> and <strong>だけでなく</strong>. Note the difference in boundary vs. addition.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">3</span>
    <span class="step-body">Read a few NHK news articles or editorials. Highlight sentences where にとどまらず appears and translate them.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">4</span>
    <span class="step-body">Write a short formal paragraph about a current event, using にとどまらず to show an expanding impact.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">5</span>
    <span class="step-body">Finally, check your work by replacing にとどまらず with a simpler pattern. If the paragraph loses its authoritative tone, you’ve succeeded.</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [に](/blog/n1-ni/) — because it is the core particle often appearing before とどまらず
- [に<ruby>値<rp>(</rp><rt>あたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する](/blog/n1-ni-atai-suru/) — because it also appears in formal evaluations where impact must be described
- [にあって](/blog/n1-ni-atte/) — because it frames a specific circumstance and often pairs with expansive reasoning
- [にひきかえ](/blog/n1-ni-hikikae/) — because it contrasts situations, and にとどまらず frequently sets up that contrast

## Learn にとどまらず with Hane

If you want to review **にとどまらず** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practise Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)