Not to mention: 〜はもとより
N + はもとより、N + も／まで
N + はもとより、N + も: “X, of course, and Y too”. The formal version of はもちろん, for speeches and company presentations.
In short
〜はもとより is the formal version of はもちろん: “X, of course, and Y too”. The first element goes without saying; the second, more surprising or broader, is added to it. You hear it in speeches, company presentations, brochures and the press.
- この店は、国内はもとより、海外でも人気がある。このみせは、こくないはもとより、かいがいでもにんきがある。This chain is popular in Japan, of course, and abroad too.
- この公園は、子どもはもとより、大人も楽しめる。このこうえんは、こどもはもとより、おとなもたのしめる。This park is enjoyable for children, naturally, and for adults too.
- 名古屋の人はもとより、全国から多くの客が集まった。なごやのひとはもとより、ぜんこくからおおくのきゃくがあつまった。People from Nagoya, of course, but also visitors from all over the country came in large numbers.
The basics
もとより, as an adverb, means “from the start, of course”. So 〜はもとより sets out a first element as obvious (“it goes without saying”) before adding a second, more remarkable one, introduced by も or まで.
The obvious case always comes first: 国内はもとより、海外でも, not the other way round.
It's popular in Japan, of course, and abroad too.
- noun
- grammatical form
- verb
- この技術は、自動車はもとより、医療の分野でも使われている。このぎじゅつは、じどうしゃはもとより、いりょうのぶんやでもつかわれている。This technology is used in cars, of course, and in the medical field too.
How to form it, and the register
N + はもとより, then the second element with も (or まで, even stronger). It's a polished construction: in conversation between friends, you say はもちろん.
| Construction | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|
| はもちろん | neutral, spoken and written | 子どもはもちろん、大人も |
| はもとより | formal, written, speeches | 子どもはもとより、大人も |
| のみならず | very written | 日本のみならず、世界でも |
- この料理は、味はもちろん、見た目もいい。このりょうりは、あじはもちろん、みためもいい。This dish tastes good, of course, and it looks good too. (neutral)
- わが社の商品は、品質はもとより、アフターサービスにも自信があります。わがしゃのしょうひんは、ひんしつはもとより、あふたーさーびすにもじしんがあります。Our products are high quality, it goes without saying, and we're also proud of our after-sales service.
Compare: ばかりか, はともかく
ばかりか (N3) also adds, but without presenting the first element as obvious; it stresses the surprise of the addition instead. はともかく (N2) does the opposite of はもとより: it sets the first point aside instead of including it.
| Sentence | The first element is… |
|---|---|
| 値段はもとより、品質もいい | included, obvious |
| 値段はともかく、品質はいい | set aside |
| 値段が高いばかりか、品質も悪い | included, and the addition is surprising |
- 値段はともかく、品質はいい。ねだんはともかく、ひんしつはいい。Leaving price aside, the quality is good.
- 彼は練習を休まないばかりか、だれよりも早く来る。かれはれんしゅうをやすまないばかりか、だれよりもはやくくる。Not only does he never miss training, he arrives before everyone else.
Common mistakes
- Translating it as “originally” because of the adverb もとより: here it means “of course, not to mention”.
- Using it among friends: it sounds too solemn; you say はもちろん.
- Reversing the order: the obvious case comes first, the remarkable addition after, with も.
7 exercises on this point
Particles to choose, sentences to put back in order, translations: marked straight away, then reviewed at the right time. This JLPT N2 point is on the Linimo Line (The environment) of the Nagoya lines.