N1 Comparison and Contrast

~もさることながら: meaning, usage and examples

~もさることながら means: ...is true, but...is also / not only... but also...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. その俳優はいゆうは、演技力えんぎりょくもさることながら、人柄ひとがらも素晴すばらしい。

   That actor's acting ability goes without saying, and his personality is wonderful too.

2. デザインもさることながら、機能きのう性せいの高たかさがこの製品せいひんの魅力みりょくだ。

   The design goes without saying, but this product's real appeal is how functional it is.

3. この店みせは、料理りょうりの味あじもさることながら、店員てんいんの対応たいおうも素晴すばらしい。

   The food at this restaurant is great, of course, but the staff are wonderful too.

4. 鈴木すずきさんの合格ごうかくは、本人ほんにんの努力どりょくもさることながら、家族かぞくの支ささえが大おおきかった。

   Ms. Suzuki passed thanks to her own effort, of course, but her family's support also made a big difference.

When to use it

Acknowledges one quality or factor as obviously important, then adds another that deserves even more attention. It is like "X is impressive, of course, but Y as well (or even more)." Example: 演技えんぎ力りょくもさることながら、人柄ひとがらも素晴すばらしい (the acting skill goes without saying, and the personality is wonderful too). Often used in praise and reviews.

Nuance

Formal, typical of writing, speeches and reviews. The tone is usually positive or neutral; it is rarely used for criticism. The first item is the one everyone already knows about, and the emphasis falls on the second item. The thing before it is a noun.

Compare

はもちろん lists both items as equal: 味あじはもちろん、値段ねだんも安やすい. もさることながら places weight on the second item and sounds more refined. はおろか is for a negative or extreme pair, not praise: 漢字かんじはおろかひらがなも書かけない.

Tip: Think "not only X, but especially Y." Put the obvious selling point first and the surprising one second.