Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Not" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "not", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
〜だけでなく
〜だけでなく (〜dake de naku)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
到底
とうてい (tōtei)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "not" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 〜だけでなく and 到底.
In Japanese, 〜だけでなく (〜だけでなく (〜dake de naku)) is typically associated with "not only... but also..." (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Indicates that something applies not just to one thing, but to another as well, often emphasizing the second part. Connects two pieces of information..
On the other hand, 到底 (とうてい (tōtei)) maps to "(not) possibly, (not) by any means, utterly" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents This adverb is almost always used with negative verbs or expressions to emphasize the impossibility or extreme difficulty of something. It expresses that something cannot happen no matter what.. A literal translation of "not" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "〜だけでなく"
彼は日本語だけでなく、英語も話せる。
He can speak not only Japanese but also English.
Bilingual Context for "到底"
この荷物は一人では到底持ち上げられない。
This luggage cannot possibly be lifted by one person alone.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼は日本語だけでなく、英語も話せる。" (Meaning: "He can speak not only Japanese but also English.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "〜だけでなく" fits here because it means "not only... but also..." in the context of: "He can speak not only Japanese but also English.". "到底" represents "(not) possibly, (not) by any means, utterly".