Japanese grammar
What does ～ばかりか～も mean? Japanese grammar N3
～ばかりか～も means not only… but also….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N3 |
|---|---|
| Structure | plain form + ばかりか N + ばかりか な形 + な + ばかりか |
| Romaji | bakarika mo |
| Meaning | not only… but also… |
Forming it
| Noun | 英語 → 英語ばかりか |
|---|---|
| na-adjective | 親切 → 親切なばかりか |
How to use it
Adds something that GOES FAR BEYOND what was already stated. The second clause must be stronger than the first, in the same direction — either both positive or both negative.
- 「AばかりかB（も）」 = not only A but also B. B must be at a HIGHER level than A: 「彼女は英語ばかりか、フランス語も話せる」.
- The second clause almost always has 「も・まで・さえ」 for emphasis.
- Both clauses must go in the same direction: 「安いばかりか、まずい」 sounds wrong — that case should use 「～上に」 or split into separate sentences.
Examples
彼女は英語ばかりか、フランス語も話せる。
She can speak not only English but also French.
この店は味がいいばかりか、値段まで安い。
This restaurant not only tastes good, the prices are even cheap.
Keep in mind
- Nouns connect directly, な-adjectives connect with 「な」.
- B is more extreme than A, in the same direction.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong彼は英語ばかりか、フランス語が話せる。
He can not only speak English but also French.
Correct彼は英語ばかりか、フランス語も話せる。
The second clause needs 「も／まで／さえ」 to complete the pair.
-
Wrong安いばかりか、まずい。
It's cheap, and on top of that it tastes bad.
Correct安い上に、まずい。
The two clauses of 「ばかりか」 must both be positive or both be negative.
Exam tips
- 「AばかりかB も」 = not only A but also B (B is stronger, same direction).