What Is the Difference Between 「に限らず」 and 「だけでなく」?

What Is the Difference Between 「に限らず」 and 「だけでなく」?

Both 「に限らず」 and 「だけでなく」 mean that something is not limited to one thing.
However, they focus on different ideas.

「だけでなく」 focuses on adding information.
「に限らず」 focuses on expanding the range.

「だけでなく」 adds another item

「AだけでなくBも」 means “not only A but also B.”
It adds B to A.

Examples:
彼は日本語だけでなく、英語も話せます。
He can speak not only Japanese but also English.

この店は味だけでなく、サービスもいいです。
This restaurant has not only good taste but also good service.

この問題は学生だけでなく、教師にも関係があります。
This problem concerns not only students but also teachers.

「だけでなく」 is useful when you want to add one more point.

「に限らず」 expands the range

「Aに限らず」 means “not limited to A.”
It is used when you mention one example and then expand the range.

Examples:
若者に限らず、多くの人がスマホを使っています。
Not only young people, but many people use smartphones.

日本に限らず、世界中でこの問題が注目されています。
This problem is attracting attention not only in Japan but around the world.

文法に限らず、語彙や読解も大切です。
Not only grammar, but vocabulary and reading are also important.

Key difference

「だけでなく」 adds B to A.
「に限らず」 says the range is not limited to A.

Examples:
学生だけでなく、社会人もこの講座を受けています。
Not only students but also working adults take this course.

学生に限らず、社会人や主婦など多くの人がこの講座を受けています。
This course is taken by many people, not limited to students.

The first sentence adds another group.
The second sentence emphasizes a wider range of people.

JLPT tip

「に限らず」 often appears in explanations, essays, and news-style passages.
Look for phrases such as 「日本に限らず」, 「若者に限らず」, and 「この分野に限らず」.

Summary

「だけでなく」 = not only A but also B
「に限らず」 = not limited to A, wider range

Related guide:JLPT Limitation Expressions That Learners Often Confuse