ばかりか

ばかりか means not only… but also; as well as ~. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that something goes beyond what was first stated, often with a surprising or emphatic second point.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N2 reading passages. If you want to express that something goes beyond what was first stated, often with a surprising or emphatic second point, ばかりか is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

What does ばかりか mean?

Use ばかりか when you want to express that something goes beyond what was first stated, often with a surprising or emphatic second point.

Natural translations include:

• not only… but also; as well as ~

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 ばかりか

Verb/い-adj (plain form) + ばかりか / な-adj + なばかりか / Noun + ばかりか

Examples of the pattern:

• 英語ばかりか、フランス語も
• 高いばかりか、味も良くない

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.

When is ばかりか used?

Use ばかりか in situations like:

• adding surprising or remarkable extra information beyond expectations
• expressing personal reactions, reasoning, or observations
• connecting ideas in formal and informal contexts

Tone and register:

• neutral to formal; common in writing and speeches
• Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N2 reading

ばかりか example sentences

• 彼は英語ばかりか、フランス語も話せる。
• この店は値段が高いばかりか、味も良くない。
• 彼女は美しいばかりか、性格も素晴らしい。
• 遅刻したばかりか、宿題も忘れた。
• その本は難しいばかりか、つまらない。

After reading each sentence, ask what job ばかりか is doing: something goes beyond what was first stated, often with a surprising or emphatic second point. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

Nuance of ばかりか

The key nuance is something goes beyond what was first stated, often with a surprising or emphatic second point.

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 specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern would not convey.
• Compared with だけでなく, it carries a different weight and implication.

ばかりか vs だけでなく

Both ばかりか and だけでなく can express related ideas, but they are different.

ばかりか:

• something goes beyond what was first stated, often with a surprising or emphatic second point

だけでなく:

• not only… but also (more neutral)

Quick contrast examples:

• 英語ばかりか、フランス語も話せる。
• 英語だけでなく、フランス語も話せる。

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural.

Common mistakes with ばかりか

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally without understanding the nuance
• Using it in contexts where the situation doesn’t match the grammar’s core meaning
• Confusing it with similar-looking but different grammar patterns

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with ばかりか, then rewrite it with だけでなく. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is ばかりか on the JLPT?

Yes. ばかりか is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

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 ばかりか

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Use ばかりか in a sentence about a personal experience or observation.
• Write a sentence where the nuance of ばかりか is necessary.
• Compare ばかりか with だけでなく in your own example.

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

Learning path for ばかりか

To learn ばかりか efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form ばかりか without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with だけでなく. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences where ばかりか is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• どころか — because it also adds information that goes beyond or contradicts expectations
• かえって — because it also presents results that go beyond expectations
• も当然だ（もとうぜんだ） — because it also builds on expectations and surprising outcomes

Learn ばかりか with Hane

If you want to review ばかりか together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

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