Mastering the Japanese Grammar Point: 〜ばかりか〜も

When learning Japanese, one of the most fascinating aspects is discovering how the language expresses complex ideas with seemingly simple structures. One such structure is 〜ばかりか〜も, a grammar point that allows speakers to emphasize not just one thing, but an additional, often surprising or unexpected, element. In English, this can be roughly translated as “not only… but also…” or “not just… but even…”. It’s a powerful way to add depth and nuance to your sentences, making your Japanese sound more natural and sophisticated.

In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the formation, usage, and nuances of 〜ばかりか〜も. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to use this grammar point in various contexts, along with plenty of examples to guide you.

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Formation of 〜ばかりか〜も

The structure 〜ばかりか〜も is used to connect two clauses, where the first clause introduces something expected or known, and the second clause adds something unexpected or surprising. It can be used with verbs, nouns, and adjectives. Let’s break down the formation for each:

1. With Verbs

• Verb (plain form) + ばかりか + も
  • Example: 食べる (to eat) → 食べるばかりか、も…

2. With Nouns

• Noun + ばかりか + も
  • Example: 学生 (student) → 学生ばかりか、も…

3. With Adjectives

• い-Adjective (plain form) + ばかりか + も
  • Example: 高い (expensive) → 高いばかりか、も…
• な-Adjective (plain form) + ばかりか + も
  • Example: 静か (quiet) → 静かなばかりか、も…

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Usage of 〜ばかりか〜も

The 〜ばかりか〜も structure is used to emphasize that something goes beyond what is expected. It often carries a tone of surprise or emphasis, and it’s commonly used in both written and spoken Japanese. Here are some situations where you might use it:

1. To emphasize an unexpected addition:
   • “Not only did he forget my birthday, but he also didn’t even apologize.”
2. To highlight a contrast:
   • “Not only is she smart, but she’s also incredibly kind.”
3. To express exaggeration or surprise:
   • “Not only did it rain, but it even snowed!”
4. To list multiple negative outcomes:
   • “Not only did I lose my wallet, but I also missed my train.”

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List of Verbs, Nouns, and Adjectives with 〜ばかりか〜も

Here’s a table with examples of 〜ばかりか〜も used with verbs, nouns, and adjectives:

Type	Word	Example Sentence	Romaji	English Meaning
Verb	食べる (to eat)	彼はケーキを食べるばかりか、アイスクリームも食べた。	Kare wa keeki o taberu bakari ka, aisu kuriimu mo tabeta.	Not only did he eat cake, but he also ate ice cream.
Verb	行く (to go)	彼女は公園に行くばかりか、映画館にも行った。	Kanojo wa kouen ni iku bakari ka, eigakan ni mo itta.	Not only did she go to the park, but she also went to the movie theater.
Noun	学生 (student)	彼は学生ばかりか、先生もしている。	Kare wa gakusei bakari ka, sensei mo shite iru.	Not only is he a student, but he’s also a teacher.
Noun	雨 (rain)	今日は雨ばかりか、雪も降っている。	Kyou wa ame bakari ka, yuki mo futte iru.	Not only is it raining today, but it’s also snowing.
い-Adjective	高い (expensive)	このレストランは高いばかりか、サービスも悪い。	Kono resutoran wa takai bakari ka, saabisu mo warui.	Not only is this restaurant expensive, but the service is also bad.
い-Adjective	暑い (hot)	夏は暑いばかりか、湿度も高い。	Natsu wa atsui bakari ka, shitsudo mo takai.	Not only is summer hot, but the humidity is also high.
な-Adjective	静か (quiet)	この町は静かなばかりか、安全でもある。	Kono machi wa shizuka na bakari ka, anzen demo aru.	Not only is this town quiet, but it’s also safe.
な-Adjective	便利 (convenient)	このアプリは便利なばかりか、無料でもある。	Kono apuri wa benri na bakari ka, muryou demo aru.	Not only is this app convenient, but it’s also free.

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More Example Sentences

Here are 10 more examples of 〜ばかりか〜も in action:

1. 彼は遅刻するばかりか、宿題も忘れた。
   Kare wa chikoku suru bakari ka, shukudai mo wasureta.
   Not only was he late, but he also forgot his homework.
2. この本は面白いばかりか、ためにもなる。
   Kono hon wa omoshiroi bakari ka, tame ni mo naru.
   Not only is this book interesting, but it’s also helpful.
3. 彼女は歌が上手なばかりか、ダンスも得意だ。
   Kanojo wa uta ga jouzu na bakari ka, dansu mo tokui da.
   Not only is she good at singing, but she’s also great at dancing.
4. この車は速いばかりか、燃費もいい。
   Kono kuruma wa hayai bakari ka, nenpi mo ii.
   Not only is this car fast, but it’s also fuel-efficient.
5. 彼は日本語が話せるばかりか、フランス語も話せる。
   Kare wa nihongo ga hanaseru bakari ka, furansugo mo hanaseru.
   Not only can he speak Japanese, but he can also speak French.
6. このホテルは綺麗なばかりか、サービスも素晴らしい。
   Kono hoteru wa kirei na bakari ka, saabisu mo subarashii.
   Not only is this hotel beautiful, but the service is also excellent.
7. 彼は宿題をしないばかりか、授業もサボった。
   Kare wa shukudai o shinai bakari ka, jugyou mo sabotta.
   Not only did he not do his homework, but he also skipped class.
8. この料理は美味しいばかりか、見た目も素敵だ。
   Kono ryouri wa oishii bakari ka, mitame mo suteki da.
   Not only is this dish delicious, but it also looks amazing.
9. 彼は仕事が忙しいばかりか、家事もやらなければならない。
   Kare wa shigoto ga isogashii bakari ka, kaji mo yaranakereba naranai.
   Not only is he busy with work, but he also has to do housework.
10. この映画は感動的ばかりか、音楽も素晴らしい。
    Kono eiga wa kandouteki bakari ka, ongaku mo subarashii.
    Not only is this movie moving, but the music is also wonderful.

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Things to Keep in Mind

1. Tone: The structure often carries a tone of surprise or emphasis, so use it when you want to highlight something unexpected.
2. Formality: It’s more common in written Japanese or formal speech. In casual conversation, you might hear 〜だけでなく〜も more often.
3. Word Order: The second clause (after も) should logically follow the first clause.
4. Avoid Overuse: Like any advanced grammar point, overusing it can make your speech or writing sound unnatural.

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Fill in the Blanks Questions

1. 彼は勉強しないばかりか、__________もサボった。
2. このレストランは美味しいばかりか、__________も安い。
3. 彼女はピアノが上手なばかりか、__________も得意だ。
4. この本は面白いばかりか、__________にもなる。
5. 今日は雨が降るばかりか、__________も降っている。
6. 彼は日本語が話せるばかりか、__________も話せる。
7. この町は静かなばかりか、__________でもある。
8. 彼は仕事が忙しいばかりか、__________もやらなければならない。
9. この映画は感動的ばかりか、__________も素晴らしい。
10. この車は速いばかりか、__________もいい。

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Answers

1. 授業
2. 値段
3. ダンス
4. ため
5. 雪
6. フランス語
7. 安全
8. 家事
9. 音楽
10. 燃費

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Conclusion

The 〜ばかりか〜も structure is a versatile and powerful tool in Japanese that allows you to express not only the expected but also the unexpected. Whether you’re emphasizing a surprising addition, contrasting two ideas, or simply adding depth to your sentences, this grammar point is invaluable. With the examples and explanations provided in this blog, you’re now equipped to use 〜ばかりか〜も confidently in your own Japanese conversations and writing. Keep practicing, and soon it’ll become second nature!

If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out more posts like this on my blog at My Language Classes. Don’t forget to subscribe my YouTube channel and follow me on Instagram for the latest language learning tips and lessons. Leave a comment below to share your thoughts, or ask any questions you have about nouns.

Happy learning! 😊

• JAPANESE
  • Japanese – Advanced
  • Japanese – Beginner
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