JLPT N2 Grammar 「〜ばかりか」 Meaning and Usage｜A Stronger Expression Than 「だけでなく」 for Adding More Information

What is the JLPT N2 grammar pattern 「〜ばかりか」?

「〜ばかりか」 is a Japanese grammar pattern that means:

“Not only ～, but also...”
“Even ～ alone would be enough, but in addition...”

It is used when the first point already has a strong impact, and then another point is added in the second half.

Because of this, 「〜ばかりか」 often expresses the speaker’s surprise, emphasis, or strong evaluation.

In JLPT N2, this pattern is often tested together with similar expressions such as 「だけでなく」 and 「のみならず」, so it is important to understand not only the meaning, but also the nuance.

Connection

• Verb plain form ＋ ばかりか
  動詞普通形 ＋ ばかりか

• い-adjective ＋ ばかりか
  い形容詞 ＋ ばかりか

• な-adjective stem ＋ なばかりか
  な形容詞語幹 ＋ なばかりか

• Noun ＋ ばかりか
  名詞 ＋ ばかりか

In the second half of the sentence, 「も」 is often used to clearly show the meaning of “also” or “in addition.”

Example sentences

このレストランは料理がおいしいばかりか、店員の対応もとても丁寧だ。
This restaurant not only has delicious food, but the staff are also very polite.

その学生は漢字が読めるばかりか、難しい新聞記事まで理解できる。
That student can not only read kanji, but can even understand difficult newspaper articles.

このスマートフォンは値段が高いばかりか、バッテリーの持ちもあまりよくない。
This smartphone is not only expensive, but its battery life is also not very good.

彼は約束の時間に遅れたばかりか、連絡さえしてこなかった。
He was not only late for the appointment, but he did not even contact me.

その町は冬に寒いばかりか、雪も多くて移動が大変だ。
That town is not only cold in winter, but it also gets a lot of snow, making travel difficult.

妹ばかりか、両親までその計画に反対していた。
Not only my younger sister, but even my parents were against that plan.

Difference between 「〜ばかりか」 and 「〜だけでなく」

「〜ばかりか」 is close in meaning to 「〜だけでなく」.

However, they are not exactly the same.

「〜だけでなく」 is a relatively neutral expression that simply adds another element.

On the other hand, 「〜ばかりか」 often carries the feeling:

“Even the first point is already enough, but on top of that, there is more.”

Because of this, 「〜ばかりか」 tends to express stronger surprise or evaluation.

Compare the following sentences:

この先生は説明がわかりやすいだけでなく、話もおもしろい。
This teacher’s explanations are easy to understand, and his stories are also interesting.

この先生は説明がわかりやすいばかりか、話もおもしろい。
This teacher’s explanations are not only easy to understand, but his stories are also interesting.

Both sentences are natural.

However, the second sentence with 「〜ばかりか」 gives a stronger positive evaluation.

It sounds as if the speaker is saying:

“The explanations are already good enough, but there is even more.”

Notes when using 「〜ばかりか」

「〜ばかりか」 needs a natural connection between the first part and the second part.

If the two parts are completely unrelated, the sentence will sound unnatural.

Also, 「〜ばかりか」 is used to add facts or evaluations.

For that reason, commands, requests, or invitations do not usually come after it.

Unnatural example

この店は安いばかりか、行ってみましょう。
This shop is not only cheap, let’s go there.

This sentence sounds unnatural.

「〜ばかりか」 is not used to directly invite or recommend someone to do something.

It is used when the speaker adds another fact or evaluation to the first one.

Common situations where 「〜ばかりか」 is used

「〜ばかりか」 can be used when good things are added together, and also when bad things are added together.

Positive evaluation

このアプリは使いやすいばかりか、デザインも見やすい。
This app is not only easy to use, but its design is also easy to see.

Negative evaluation

彼は仕事を忘れたばかりか、大事な資料までなくしてしまった。
He not only forgot his work, but even lost important documents.

In conversation and writing, 「〜ばかりか」 is especially common when something bad does not stop at just one problem.

It gives the feeling of:

“Not only that, but something even worse happened.”

JLPT point

When this grammar pattern appears in the JLPT, check the following three points:

• Is the first part already strong enough by itself?
• Is another point added in the second part?
• Can you feel the speaker’s surprise or emphasis?

The important feeling is not just simple addition.

You should understand the nuance:

“Even that alone would be enough, but in addition...”

Summary

「〜ばかりか」 is a JLPT N2 grammar pattern that means:

“Not only ～, but also...”
“Even ～ alone would be enough, but in addition...”

It is similar to 「〜だけでなく」, but it often includes stronger surprise, emphasis, or evaluation.

If you remember both the connection and the nuance, this pattern will be useful not only for grammar questions, but also for reading comprehension.

Rather than memorizing only the meaning, it is helpful to remember short example sentences together with the pattern.

If you want to learn JLPT N2 and N3 grammar by solving actual questions, try the free questions on RJT.

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