
GRAMMAR
〜ばかりか
not only ~ but also
Explanation
NOTE
〜ばかりか means not only X (but also Y) — used to add a second, often surprising fact on top of the first.
彼は英語ばかりか、フランス語も話せる。
Not only English, he can also speak French.
The second clause often contains も or さえ to reinforce the *also/even* nuance.
NOTE
The added item is usually more extreme or more unexpected than the first — it carries a tone of surprise or escalation.
NOTE
〜ばかりか is more formal and literary than 〜だけでなく; it appears often in writing, news, and essays.
NOTE
With verbs and i-adjectives, attach ばかりか directly to the plain form (走る → 走るばかりか).
STRUCTURE
V普
ばかりか彼は遅刻したばかりか、謝りもしなかった。
Kare wa chikoku shita bakarika, ayamari mo shinakatta.
Not only did he arrive late, he didn't even apologize.
あの店は安いばかりか、味もいい。
Ano mise wa yasui bakarika, aji mo ii.
That shop is not only cheap, the taste is also good.
台風で電車が止まるばかりか、道路も通行止めになった。
Taifuu de densha ga tomaru bakarika, douro mo tsuukoudome ni natta.
Because of the typhoon, not only did the trains stop, the roads were also closed.
NOTE
With nouns, attach ばかりか directly without だ (学生 → 学生ばかりか).
STRUCTURE
N辞
ばかりか子供ばかりか、大人もこのアニメが好きだ。
Kodomo bakarika, otona mo kono anime ga suki da.
Not only children, adults also like this anime.
東京ばかりか、大阪でも雪が降った。
Toukyou bakarika, oosaka demo yuki ga futta.
Not only in Tokyo, it also snowed in Osaka.
彼女は歌ばかりか、ダンスもプロ級だ。
Kanojo wa uta bakarika, dansu mo puro-kyuu da.
Not only in singing, her dancing is also pro-level.
Practice exercises
1
彼は日本語ばかりか、英語も話せる上に、真面目だ。
He not only speaks Japanese but also English, and on top of that, he is diligent.
Answer
ばかりか
2
この映画は映像ばかりか、音楽も素晴らしい。それは日本のみならず、世界でも評価された。
This movie is not only visually stunning but also has wonderful music. It was highly acclaimed not only in Japan but also globally.
Answer
ばかりか
3
彼は経験ばかりか実力に加えて、熱意も持っている。
He not only has experience, but in addition to his ability, he also has enthusiasm.
Answer
ばかりか
4
彼は時間ばかりかお金も失ってしまった。
He not only lost his time but also his money.
Answer
ばかりか
5
この企業は国内市場ばかりか海外市場でも成功している。
This company is succeeding not only in the domestic market but also in overseas markets.
Answer
ばかりか