〜はもとより: 'Not to Mention / Let Alone' (Meaning + Examples)
Naming the obvious case, then adding the impressive one
〜はもとより says "X, of course — but also Y," where Y is usually the more notable or surprising half. It's common in bragging about abilities, scope, or popularity.
このゲームは子供はもとより大人も楽しめる。
この ゲームは こどもは もとより おとなも たのしめる。
This game is enjoyable not just for kids, but adults too.
子供 is the 'obvious' case; 大人 is the point being emphasized.
やったんは英語はもとより、中国語も話せる。
やったんは えいごは もとより、ちゅうごくごも はなせる。
Yattan can speak not only English but Chinese as well.
English is assumed easy for him; Chinese is the impressive addition.
この温泉は地元の人はもとより、観光客にも人気だ。
この おんせんは じもとの ひとは もとより、かんこうきゃくにも にんきだ。
This hot spring is popular not just with locals but tourists too.
What it attaches to
〜はもとより follows a noun, and the second clause usually ends in a word like も or さえ to underline the addition.
| Precedes | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | Noun1 はもとより、Noun2 も〜 | 実力はもとより、人柄もいい |
| Noun (ability) | 言語はもとより | 日本語はもとより、韓国語もできる |
モチは料理はもとより、掃除も得意だ。
モチは りょうりは もとより、そうじも とくいだ。
Mochi isn't just good at cooking — he's good at cleaning too.
Don't confuse with 〜はおろか
〜はもとより and 〜はおろか both mention two things, but they point opposite directions. 〜はもとより is positive: "X is true, and Y is even more true." 〜はおろか is negative: "not even X, let alone Y" — it's used with a negative predicate to say the lesser thing already fails. Mixing them up flips the sentence's polarity entirely.
The short version
- 〜はもとより = "not to mention X" / "needless to say X, and Y too."
- Attaches to: a noun, followed by a second noun + も/さえ.
- Nuance/register: adds emphasis to a positive claim; formal-ish but common in writing and speech.
- Don't confuse with: 〜はおろか (negative "not even X, let alone Y").
Practice it
Choose はもとより where the sentence emphasizes that an even more notable case is also true.
＿＿＿に入れるのに最もよいものを選びなさい。
このゲームは＿＿＿大人も楽しめる。
Where 〜はもとより fits
Shaky on this? Get these solid first
- は · N5 — は marks the topic of a sentence — 'as for X.' Learn how it flags known information, its contrast use, why it's read 'wa,' and how it differs from が.
More N2 grammar to explore
Keep going with related patterns at the same level:
- 〜はともかく — 〜はともかく means 'leaving X aside' or 'whether or not X' — it sets one topic apart as not the main point right now, so attention can shift to something more relevant, without judging the set-aside topic.
- わずかに — わずかに is an adverb meaning 'slightly,' 'a little,' or 'barely' — it emphasizes that an amount, degree, or difference is very small, often surprisingly so, and can modify verbs, numbers, or nouns of quantity.
- 〜を兼ねて — 〜を兼ねて means 'combining X with' — one action that serves two purposes at once, like a trip that is both sightseeing and business. It attaches to a noun and signals efficient, dual-purpose action.
- 〜を契機に — 〜を契機に means 'triggered by' or 'taking X as the turning point' — a formal way to say an event caused a significant change. It attaches to a noun and is common in news about policy, society, and life changes.
- 〜をきっかけに — 〜をきっかけに means 'triggered by' or 'as a result of' — a friendly, everyday way to name the event that started a change. It attaches to a noun and works equally well in casual talk and writing.
- 〜をこめて — 〜をこめて means 'putting X into it' — doing something while filling it with an emotion like love, gratitude, or hope. It attaches to a noun naming the feeling and is common with gifts, letters, and prayers.