ばかりかbakari ka“not only... but also; as well as”

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 ~

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

When is ばかりか used?

Use ばかりか in situations like:

• adding surprising or remarkable extra information beyond expectations

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。 — Not only can he speak English, he can speak French too.
• この店は値段が高いばかりか、味も良くない。 — This shop is not only expensive, but the food isn’t good either.
• 彼女は美しいばかりか、性格も素晴らしい。 — She is not only beautiful but also has a wonderful personality.
• 遅刻したばかりか、宿題も忘れた。 — Not only was I late, I also forgot my homework.
• その本は難しいばかりか、内容もつまらない。 — That book is not only difficult, its content is boring too.

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.

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.

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

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。

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

Practice questions for ばかりか

• 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.

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.
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.

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