# ばかりでなく: not only... but also

> Learn how to use ばかりでなく, a JLPT N3 Japanese grammar point meaning not only... but also, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N3 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n3-bakari-denaku/

**ばかりでなく** means **not only... but also; as well as ~**. It is a **JLPT N3** grammar pattern used to **add extra information or emphasize that something applies to more than one thing**.

This grammar point often appears in **neutral to formal**. If you want to **expand a statement to include additional qualities or facts**, **ばかりでなく** is a useful pattern to learn.

## What does ばかりでなく mean?

Use **ばかりでなく** when you want to **add extra information or emphasize that something applies to more than one thing**.

Natural translations include:
- not only... but also
- as well as ~

## How to form ばかりでなく

[Verb plain / い-adjective / な-adjective + な / Noun] + ばかりでなく、〜も〜

Examples of the pattern:
- 安いばかりでなく
- 便利なばかりでなく
- 彼ばかりでなく

## When is ばかりでなく used?

Use **ばかりでなく** in situations like:
- academic writing
- formal explanations
- emphasizing multiple qualities

Tone and register:
- neutral to formal
- Common in academic writing, test questions, and written narratives

## ばかりでなく example sentences

- この製品は安いばかりでなく、品質もいい。 — This product is not only cheap, but also high quality.
- 彼は日本語ばかりでなく、英語も話せる。 — He speaks not only Japanese but also English.
- 便利なばかりでなく、デザインも美しい。 — It is not only convenient, but also beautifully designed.
- 彼女は頭がいいばかりでなく、優しい。 — She is not only smart, but also kind.
- 試験は難しいばかりでなく、時間も足りなかった。 — The test was not only difficult, but I also didn't have enough time.

## Nuance of ばかりでなく

The key nuance is **adds emphasis by rejecting the idea that only one thing is true**.

This matters because **〜ばかりでなく often pairs with も in the second half. It is more formal than 〜だけでなく, and slightly more emphatic.**.

For example:
- In academic writing, it sounds natural and specific.
- Compared with **[だけでなく](/blog/n3-dake-de-naku/)**, it carries a different weight and implication.

## ばかりでなく vs だけでなく

Both **ばかりでなく** and **[だけでなく](/blog/n3-dake-de-naku/)** can express **not only... but also**, but they are different.

**ばかりでなく**:
- also means not only... but also; slightly more formal and emphatic in tone

**[だけでなく](/blog/n3-dake-de-naku/)**:
- also means not only... but also; slightly more casual and common in spoken Japanese

Quick contrast examples:
- 安いだけでなく、品質もいい。 — Not only cheap, but also high quality.
- 安いばかりでなく、品質もいい。 — Not only cheap, but also high quality.

## Common mistakes with ばかりでなく

Watch out for these mistakes:
- Forgetting to add も in the second clause
- Using it with the wrong verb form (must be plain form before ばかりでなく)
- Using it in very casual spoken Japanese where 〜だけじゃなくて is more natural

## Is ばかりでなく on the JLPT?

Yes. **ばかりでなく** is commonly taught as **JLPT N3** 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 ばかりでなく

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Say a city is not only beautiful but also safe.
- Describe someone as not only hardworking but also creative.
- Explain that a book is not only interesting but also educational.

## Learning path for ばかりでなく

To learn **ばかりでなく** efficiently, review simple listing with そして, then practice adding a second point in the same positive or negative direction.

1. First, make sure you can form **ばかりでなく** without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with [上に（うえに）](/blog/n3-ue-ni/), [だけでなく](/blog/n3-dake-de-naku/). These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences that stack reasons, qualities, or examples; then check whether replacing **ばかりでなく** with [はもちろん](/blog/n3-wa-mochiron/) changes the meaning.

## Related grammar to review next

- [上に（うえに）](/blog/n3-ue-ni/) — because it also adds information in “not only / in addition” sentences.
- [だけでなく](/blog/n3-dake-de-naku/) — because it also adds information in “not only / in addition” sentences.
- [はもちろん](/blog/n3-wa-mochiron/) — because it also adds information in “not only / in addition” sentences.
- [も～ば～も](/blog/n3-mo-ba-mo/) — because it also adds information in “not only / in addition” sentences.

## Learn ばかりでなく with Hane

If you want to review **ばかりでなく** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N3 grammar lessons](/blog/n3/)