synonym Comparative
ばかり
VS
〜だけでなく
Differences Between "ばかり" and "〜だけでなく"
Option A
ばかり
Meaning
just, only, nothing but; just finished doing
Reading
ばかり (bakari)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
彼はいつも文句ばかり言っている。
He's always just complaining.
Option B
〜だけでなく
Meaning
not only... but also...
Reading
〜だけでなく (〜dake de naku)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
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.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(just, only, nothing but; just finished doing)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- ばかり: Can emphasize 'only' or 'nothing but' (名詞+ばかり), or indicate an action was 'just finished' (Vた+ばかり). Also, Vてばかりいる means 'always doing' or 'doing nothing but'.
- 〜だけでなく: Indicates that something applies not just to one thing, but to another as well, often emphasizing the second part. Connects two pieces of information. (N + だけでなく, V/Adj-普通形 + だけでなく)
- ばかり: Can emphasize 'only' or 'nothing but' (名詞+ばかり), or indicate an action was 'just finished' (Vた+ばかり). Also, Vてばかりいる means 'always doing' or 'doing nothing but'.
- 〜だけでなく: Indicates that something applies not just to one thing, but to another as well, often emphasizing the second part. Connects two pieces of information. (N + だけでなく, V/Adj-普通形 + だけでなく)
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