「～ばかりか」Not Only… But Also…

Explanation

「～ばかりか」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to indicate that not only is something true, but there is also an additional, often more serious or significant, situation. It connects verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives, or nouns with ばかりか. This structure emphasizes the first point while introducing a more impactful or severe second point.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Plain Form + ばかりか	Verb Plain Form	Indicates that not only is the first point true, but the second point is more serious or significant.
い-Adjective Plain Form + ばかりか	い-Adjective Plain Form	Indicates that not only is the first point true, but the second point is more serious or significant.
な-Adjective Stem + な/である + ばかりか	な-Adjective Stem	Indicates that not only is the first point true, but the second point is more serious or significant.
Noun + ばかりか	Noun	Indicates that not only is the first point true, but the second point is more serious or significant.

Basic Usage

「ばかりか」 connects two points, where the first is a fact, and the second is an additional, often more serious or significant fact. It is commonly used in formal writing and speeches to emphasize the severity or importance of the second point.

Examples

• 彼かれは、銀行ぎんこうからの融資ゆうしが数百万円すうひゃくまんえんもあっても、返かえせずにいるばかりか、友人ゆうじんたちからも相当そうとうのお金かねを借かりているらしい。
• Kare wa, ginkou kara no yuushi ga suuhyakuman'en mo atte mo, kaesu ni iru bakari ka, yuujin-tachi kara mo soutou no okane o karite iru rashii.
• It seems that not only has he failed to repay a loan of several million yen from the bank, but he has also borrowed a considerable amount of money from his friends.
  

• 助たすけてと言いっても助たすけてくれないばかりか、笑わらってこっちを見みる始末しまつだ。
• Tasukete to itte mo tasukete kurenai bakari ka, waratte kocchi o miru shimatsu da.
• Not only did he refuse to help when asked, but he also laughed and looked at me.
  

• これ以上いじょう効率こうりつを追おい求もとめるのは従業員じゅうぎょういんの命いのちを危険きけんにさらさらすばかりか、信用しんようをも失うしないかねない。
• Kore ijou kouritsu o oi motomeru no wa juugyouin no inochi o kiken ni sarasu bakari ka, shin'you o mo ushinai ka ne nai.
• Pursuing efficiency beyond this point not only endangers the lives of employees but could also lead to a loss of trust.
  

Deep Dive

「ばかりか」 emphasizes the contrast between two situations, with the second often being more serious or significant. It is frequently used in formal contexts to strengthen the impact of the statement. For example, when describing a problem, 「ばかりか」 can introduce deeper consequences or effects.

Examples

• 彼かれは、仕事しごとができないばかりか、人ひととしても信しんじられない行動こうどうをしている。
• Kare wa, shigoto ga dekinai bakari ka, hito to shite mo shinjirarenai koudou o shite iru.
• Not only is he incapable at work, but his behavior as a person is also untrustworthy.
  

• この事件じけんは、一人ひとりの死しを招まねいたばかりか、社会しゃかい全体ぜんたいに大おおきな影響えいきょうを与あたえた。
• Kono jiken wa, hitori no shi o manekita bakari ka, shakai zentai ni ookina eikyou o ataeta.
• This incident not only resulted in a death but also had a significant impact on society as a whole.
  

Comparison and Differences

「ばかりか」 vs. 「ばかりでなく」

• 「ばかりでなく」: Indicates that not only is the first point true, but the second point is also true. It is more commonly used in casual speech.
• 「ばかりか」: Emphasizes that the second point is more serious or significant. It is typically used in formal contexts.

Structure	Example	English Translation
ばかりでなく	彼かれは英語えいごばかりでなく、その他ほか３ヶ国語こくごもできる。	He can not only speak English but also three other languages.
ばかりか	彼かれは英語えいごばかりか、その他ほか３ヶ国語こくごもできる。	He can not only speak English but also three other languages.

「ばかりか」 vs. 「ばかりでなくて」

• 「ばかりでなくて」: More casual and natural in everyday speech.

Structure	Example	English Translation
ばかりでなく	大人おとなから教おそわることばかりでなく、子どもこどもからも学まなぶことはある。	Not only do we learn from adults, but we also learn from children.
ばかりか	大人おとなから教おそわることばかりか、子どもこどもからも学まなぶことはある。	Not only do we learn from adults, but we also learn from children.

Real-Life Scenarios

In everyday life, 「ばかりか」 can be used to emphasize that not only is something true, but there is also an additional, often more significant, situation. For example:

• この料理りょうりは美味おいしいばかりか、見みた目めもきれいだ。
• Kono ryouri wa oishii bakari ka, mitame mo kirei da.
• This dish is not only delicious but also visually appealing.
  

• 彼女かのじょは仕事しごとができるばかりか、人じんもいい。
• Kanojo wa shigoto ga dekiru bakari ka, hito mo ii.
• She is not only capable at work but also a good person.
  

Summary

「ばかりか」 is a practical Japanese grammatical structure used to express that not only is something true, but there is also an additional, often more serious or significant, situation. By understanding its usage and differences, you can use this structure accurately in both everyday conversations and formal contexts, enhancing the richness and precision of your Japanese expression.