How to tell them apart
Both connect an expected first item to an additional second item, but ばかりか adds something surprising or beyond normal expectations, while だけで(は)なく simply adds a parallel fact with no surprise element. Swapping them is unnatural when the second item is merely an equal addition—あの人はよく勉強するだけでなくよく遊ぶ sounds neutral, whereas ばかりか would wrongly imply playing a lot is unexpected. Use ばかりか when the second clause escalates beyond what you would normally guess.
- だけで(は)なく(も) Use だけで(は)なく when you are adding a parallel, unsurprising fact about the same subject.
- ばかりか（さえ） Use ばかりか when the second item is surprising or goes beyond normal expectations.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| だけで(は)なく(も) dakede ha naku mo | Used to say something is true of one thing and additionally of another | N3 |
| ばかりか（さえ） bakarika sae | not just that, but in addition | N3 |
だけで(は)なく(も) dakede ha naku mo
Used to say something is true of one thing and additionally of another
だけで(は)なく(も) means that something applies not only to the first item but also to the second. It follows nouns, as in the examples, and the second item typically takes も. Adding は gives a slightly more emphatic tone.
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彼女はテニスをするだけでなく、スキーもとても上手だ。
Besides playing tennis, she skis very well.
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彼女だけでなく彼女の両親もパーティーに招待された。
Not only she but also her parents were invited to the party.
ばかりか（さえ） bakarika sae
not just that, but in addition
ばかりか（さえ）adds a second, often more notable point after saying something is already true, meaning not only that but also this. It follows plain-form verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives/nouns with である, or nouns directly, and the second clause often adds さえ or も.
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労働はただ単に必要なものであるばかりか、楽しみでもある。
Labor is not merely a necessity but a pleasure.
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目が覚めているときばかりか眠っているときにもそれが必要だ。
We need it when asleep as well as when awake.
だけで(は)なく(も) and ばかりか（さえ） are both JLPT N3 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.