ばかりかnot only … but even
"Not only A but even B." It goes further than だけでなく and ばかりでなく: B is more surprising or more extreme than A, whether the news is good or bad.
better still
He can speak not only English but even Chinese.
worse still
He not only broke his promise, he didn't even try to apologize.
After a noun
Noun + ばかりか
英語ばかりか.
After a verb or an adjective
Plain form + ばかりか
軽いばかりか. A な-adjective keeps its な: 簡単なばかりか. 破ったばかりか is not "has only just broken": the か makes it "not only".
- After it
- The step further, often with まで or も.
- Where you'll meet it
- News, reviews and essays, and talk when someone is telling you how far a thing went.
In use
The typhoon not only stopped the trains but even caused power outages over a wide area.
Sales not only recovered but reached a record high.
This device is not only easy to operate, it hardly ever breaks down.
Two things to know
B has to top A
With two things of the same weight, it sounds as if the second were astonishing.
Sounds odd: 今朝は
This morning I ate not only bread but even an egg.
An egg is no surprise: パンだけでなく、卵も食べた.
No request after it
It tells of something that struck you. What you ask or tell someone to do takes だけでなく. An invitation (食べましょう) or a plan of your own (食べるつもりだ) is not said after it either.
Not said: 野菜ばかりか、
(Eat fruit as well, not just vegetables.)
野菜だけでなく、果物も食べなさい.
Close neighbours
だけでなくN4
The usual "not only A but also B". In conversation people mostly say だけじゃなくて.
Tanaka speaks Chinese too, you know, not just English.
のみならずN2
The だけでなく of formal writing: reports, papers, prepared speeches.
This product is highly regarded not only at home but also overseas.
はもとよりN2
"A, of course, and B too": A goes without saying. For formal writing and speeches.
These rules apply to permanent employees, of course, and to contract employees as well.
に加えてN2
"In addition to", after a noun. It simply adds one thing to another.
In addition to the heavy rain, the wind has been picking up too.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
漢字
Choose an answer to see why.
2What does this tell you?
弟は
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
そればかりか opens a new sentence: "not only that".
He came late to the meeting. Not only that, he didn't bring the handouts either.
More sentences
She has full command not only of English but even of Arabic.
Not only students but even working researchers take this course.
That new battery is not only light; it lasts twice as long as the old ones.
The construction delay not only pushed up costs but even damaged the trust of business partners.