〜はもとより — JLPT N2 Grammar

Pattern

Noun A + はもとより、Noun B も + [verb/predicate] Noun A + はもとより、Noun B さえ + [verb/predicate] (even more emphatic)

Both A and B share the same predicate. A is the expected or obvious item; B is the additional, often more surprising or extended item.

Formality

Formal / Written. はもとより is most common in formal written Japanese — essays, formal speeches, business writing, and news articles. In casual speech, だけでなく or ばかりか are more natural.

Meaning

Not only ~ but also; ~ goes without saying, and furthermore ~

〜はもとより expresses that X (the item before はもとより) is naturally included — so much so that it is taken for granted — and that Y (what follows) is also true or included. The emphasis falls on Y, the additional or more striking element.

Explanation

もとより is a formal adverb meaning "originally; from the start; needless to say." When attached with は (topic marker), it creates the structure "as for X, that goes without saying — and furthermore, Y is also true." This gives the pattern its distinctive nuance: item A is treated as a given, and item B is where the real emphasis lies.

This is the key distinction that separates はもとより from similar "not only ~ but also" patterns. In はもとより, the first item is presented as so obvious or natural that it barely needs mentioning — the focus is on what comes after. Example: 日本語はもとより、英語も話せる (Not only Japanese (obviously), he can also speak English) — Japanese ability is assumed, English is the impressive addition.

はもとより is frequently used in introductory clauses of formal essays and business documents to establish scope before elaborating. It often pairs well with も and さえ in the second clause to add emphasis.

Example Sentences

1. 彼は日本語はもとより、英語も中国語も流暢に話せる。 Kare wa nihongo wa motoyori, eigo mo chuugokugo mo ryuuchou ni hanaseru. Not only Japanese (which goes without saying), he can speak English and Chinese fluently too.

2. 健康はもとより、精神的な安定も仕事のパフォーマンスに影響する。 Kenkou wa motoyori, seishin-teki na antei mo shigoto no pafooomansu ni eikyou suru. Not just physical health, but mental stability also affects work performance.

3. 首都圏はもとより、地方都市でも外国人観光客が増えている。 Shuto-ken wa motoyori, chihou-toshi de mo gaikokujin kankou-kyaku ga fuete iru. Not only in the Tokyo metropolitan area, but tourists are also increasing in regional cities.

4. 費用はもとより、時間の節約も考慮に入れるべきだ。 Hiyou wa motoyori, jikan no setsuyaku mo kouryo ni ireru beki da. Not only cost, but time savings should also be taken into consideration.

5. プロの選手はもとより、アマチュアさえ参加できる大会だ。 Puro no senshu wa motoyori, amachua sae sanka dekiru taikai da. It's a tournament in which not only professional players, but even amateurs can participate.

6. この政策は国内はもとより、国際社会にも大きな影響を与えた。 Kono seisaku wa kokunai wa motoyori, kokusai-shakai ni mo ookina eikyou wo ataeta. This policy had a major impact not only domestically but also on the international community.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Placing the main/surprising item before はもとより. The item before はもとより is the obvious or naturally expected one. The new or more striking item comes after. Do not reverse this order.

• Incorrect (nuance reversed): 英語はもとより、日本語も話せる。(If Japanese is the more impressive skill, this order is wrong.)
• Correct: 日本語はもとより、英語も話せる。(Japanese is assumed; English is the notable addition.)

Mistake 2: Using はもとより in casual conversation. This pattern sounds stiff in everyday speech. For casual contexts, use だけじゃなくて or だけでなく instead.

Compare With

Key memory hook for はもとより: The word もとより itself means "originally; naturally; from the start." So はもとより = "as for [A], that's natural/obvious — and [B] is also true." If A is not obviously true or naturally expected, はもとより sounds odd.