What does ～ばかりか mean? Japanese grammar N2

Forming it

How to use it

Adds another SAME-DIRECTION thing, usually surprising/more significant; emphatic, suited to written style.

• 「～ばかりか」 states "not only A but also B", B is an ADDED same-direction thing, usually exceeding expectation/surprising. The second clause often has 「も」.
• Different from 「どころか」 (OPPOSITE direction): 「ばかりか」 is always SAME direction, just stronger/more emphatic than 「だけでなく」.
• The second clause does NOT use commands/requests/volition — a point of difference from 「だけでなく」.

Examples

• 彼女(かのじょ)は英語(えいご)ばかりか、フランス語(ご)も話(はな)せる。

  She can speak not only English but even French.

• 台風(たいふう)で電車(でんしゃ)が止(と)まったばかりか、道路(どうろ)も冠水(かんすい)した。

  Due to the typhoon, not only did the trains stop, but the roads also flooded.

Keep in mind

• A noun attaches directly: 「N + ばかりか」.
• Written-style nuance, more formal than 「だけでなく」.

Common mistakes

• Wrong手伝(てつだ)ってくれるばかりか、お金(かね)も貸(か)してください。

  You not only help me but also lend me money.

  Correct手伝(てつだ)ってくれるだけでなく、お金(かね)も貸(か)してください。

  The clause after 「ばかりか」 does not use commands/requests/volition; use 「だけでなく」 for that.

• Wrong日本語(にほんご)ができるばかりか、英語(えいご)ができない。

  Not only Japanese, but I don't know English.

  Correct日本語(にほんご)ができるばかりか、英語(えいご)もできる。

  「ばかりか」 adds a SAME-DIRECTION thing (usually escalating); an opposite clause uses 「どころか／のに」.

Exam tips

• 「ばかりか」 = not only… but also (same direction, emphatic); the second clause has no commands/requests.

Related patterns

• ～だけでなく
• ～どころか
• ～のみならず