N1 Scope, Range, and Extent

~にとどまらず: meaning, usage and examples

~にとどまらず means: not just... / not limited to...

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

Examples

1. そのアニメの人気にんきは、国内こくないにとどまらず、海外かいがいにも広ひろがっている。

   That anime's popularity is not limited to Japan; it's spreading overseas too.

2. 彼かれの活動かつどうは、音楽おんがくにとどまらず、俳優業はいゆうぎょうにも及およんでいる。

   His activities are not just in music, but also extend to acting.

3. 被害ひがいは沿岸えんがん部ぶにとどまらず、内陸ないりくの町まちにまで広ひろがった。

   The damage was not limited to the coast; it spread as far as inland towns.

4. 彼女かのじょは研究けんきゅうにとどまらず、後進こうしんの育成いくせいにも力ちからを注そそいでいる。

   She devotes herself not only to research but also to training the next generation.

When to use it

Says something does not stop within a certain range but extends beyond it. Example: 被害ひがいは東京とうきょうにとどまらず、全国ぜんこくに広ひろがった (the damage did not stay in Tokyo; it spread nationwide). Often followed by にも, まで or さえ in the second clause, describing spread, influence or activity.

Nuance

Formal; common in news, essays and business writing. It describes a scope that widens, so the second clause usually contains a larger area or field. Neutral in feeling: it works for spreading damage and for growing popularity alike.

Compare

にとどまらず stresses going beyond a limit: 国内こくないにとどまらず海外かいがいでも売うれる. だけでなく is the everyday version: 日本にほんだけでなく海外かいがいでも. に限かぎらず means not only in this case but in general: 子こどもに限かぎらず大人おとなも楽たのしめる. のみならず is a stiff written equivalent.

Tip: とどまる means to stay in place. にとどまらず literally means it does not stay there, it spreads.