N2 Addition and Scope

~はもとより(~も): meaning, usage and examples

~はもとより(~も) means: not to mention... / let alone...

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

Examples

1. 彼かれは英語えいごはもとより、中国ちゅうごく語ごもペラペラだ。

   He's fluent in Chinese, not to mention English.

2. 大人おとなはもとより、子供こどもも楽たのしめる映画えいがだ。

   It's a movie that not only adults but children can enjoy.

3. この祭まつりには、地元じもとの人ひとはもとより海外かいがいからも多おおくの人ひとが訪おとずれる。

   This festival draws many visitors from abroad, not to mention the locals.

4. 健康けんこうのためには、食事しょくじはもとより睡眠すいみんも大切たいせつです。

   For good health, sleep matters too, not just diet.

When to use it

Means "not to mention X" or "X, of course, and also Y." X is the obvious case that everyone expects; Y is the addition the speaker wants to stress. この本ほんは学生がくせいはもとより、教師きょうしにも役立やくだつ means "This book is useful for teachers, not to mention students." The second part usually has も.

Nuance

Formal and written. はもちろん is the conversational version with the same meaning. It is used for positive or neutral additions, not for "cannot even" statements. X should be something the listener already takes for granted.

Compare

はもちろん means the same in everyday speech: 英語えいごはもちろん、中国ちゅうごく語ごも話はなせる. はおろか is for negatives, "let alone": 漢字かんじはおろか、ひらがなも書かけない. のみならず is a formal "not only" without the "of course" feeling. All three usually need も in the second part.

Tip: Positive or neutral sentence: はもとより. Negative "cannot even" sentence: はおろか. Both mean はもちろん in speech.