connective N3 common casualpolitewritten
〜だけで(は)なく(も) — not only ~
〜だけで(は)なく(も) ・ だけでなく
Meaning
- not only ~ (but also) — names one item, then signals that more is being added beyond it
Key sentence
彼女は英語だけでなく、フランス語も話せる。
She can speak not only English but also French.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | N + だけでなく | 子供だけでなく |
| Verb / adjective (plain) | V(plain)/A + だけでなく; な-adj + な + だけでなく | 安いだけでなく / 便利なだけでなく |
Examples
この店は安いだけでなく、味もいい。
This shop is not only cheap — the food tastes good too.
彼は仕事ができるだけでなく、人にも優しい。
He's not only good at his job but also kind to people.
Easily confused with
Notes
- The second clause usually carries も ('also') on the added item: 〜だけでなく、〜も. The fuller form だけではなく is identical in meaning, slightly more emphatic.
See 〜だけで(は)なく(も) in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜だけで(は)なく(も) the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Editorial confidence: medium.