ばかりかNot only A but even B
ばかりか says that something does not stop at A: it extends to B, which is usually stronger, more surprising, or more significant.
How the scale works
Put A before ばかりか, then place the stronger or less expected B afterward. B is often marked with も, さえ, or まで to make that extension especially clear. The two sides normally point in the same direction: praise grows stronger, criticism becomes worse, or a quantity increases further.
Typical escalation
Notice that B is not merely another fact; it raises the force of the statement.
その新型電池は軽いばかりか、従来品の二倍も長持ちする。
That new battery is not only light; it also lasts twice as long as the previous model.
AnalyzeThe doubled battery life is the stronger added advantage.
工事の遅れは費用を増やしたばかりか、取引先の信頼まで損なった。
The construction delay not only increased costs but even damaged the trust of business partners.
AnalyzeThe damage develops from a financial problem into a more serious loss of trust.
彼女の研究は国内で高く評価されたばかりか、海外の学会でも賞を受けた。
Her research was not only highly regarded domestically; it also won an award at an international academic conference.
AnalyzeRecognition abroad is presented as an unexpectedly strong extension of the domestic praise.
Choosing among similar addition patterns
だけでなく is the neutral default for “not only A but also B.” ばかりでなく can also make a relatively balanced addition. The target form more strongly invites the reader to treat B as an escalation. はおろか has a more distinctive “let alone” scale and is especially common when even a basic or expected case is denied.
More examples
台風は鉄道を止めたばかりか、広い地域で停電まで引き起こした。
The typhoon not only stopped train service but even caused power outages across a wide area.
Analyze新しい制度は手続きを簡単にしたばかりか、処理時間も半分に減らした。
The new system not only simplified the procedure but also cut processing time in half.
Analyzeあの新人は初舞台で主役を務めたばかりか、最優秀賞さえ獲得した。
That newcomer not only played the leading role in their stage debut but even won the top award.
Analyze売り上げは回復したばかりか、過去最高を記録した。
Sales not only recovered but reached an all-time high.
Analyze彼は約束を破ったばかりか、謝ろうともしなかった。
He not only broke his promise but did not even try to apologize.
Analyzeこの講座には学生ばかりか、現役の研究者も参加している。
Not only students but also active researchers take part in this course.
Analyze彼女は英語ばかりか、アラビア語まで自在に操る。
She is fluent not only in English but even in Arabic.
Analyzeこの装置は操作が簡単なばかりか、故障もほとんどない。
This device is not only easy to operate but also rarely breaks down.
Analyze