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〜はもちろん

wa mochiron

By Nihongo PathUpdated

This form is also taught at JLPT N2, where it carries a different sense or register.

Meaning

X of course, and Y too / not to mention X

〜はもちろん means "X goes without saying, and even Y". The first item is the obvious case; the second is the one that adds new information. "He can read kanji, of course, and classical texts too."

Used in both speech and writing to praise, describe range, or list what is included. The longer form 〜はもちろんのこと sounds more formal. The second item takes も, まで or にも.

Formation

V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

  • Noun + はもちろん + Noun + も / まで / にも
  • Noun + はもちろんのこと + Noun + も (formal)
  • Verb / clause + のはもちろん (less common)

Visual diagram

From obvious to surprising

  1. 漢字はもちろん

    The obvious item: anyone would expect this.

  2. 古典も読める

    The surprising addition: this is the real point.

Natural examples

  1. 彼は漢字はもちろん、古典も読める。

    かれはかんじはもちろん、こてんもよめる。

    He can read not only kanji, but classical texts too.

    Kanji is the obvious case; classical texts are the surprise.

  2. 平日はもちろん、週末も働いている。

    へいじつはもちろん、しゅうまつもはたらいている。

    He works on weekends, not to mention weekdays.

    Weekdays are expected; weekends are the added point.

  3. この町は観光客はもちろんのこと、地元の人にも人気だ。

    このまちはかんこうきゃくはもちろんのこと、じもとのひとにもにんきだ。

    This town is popular with locals too, not just tourists of course.

    〜はもちろんのこと is the fuller, more formal version.

  4. このホテルは部屋はもちろん、食事も素晴らしかった。

    このホテルはへやはもちろん、しょくじもすばらしかった。

    At this hotel, the rooms were wonderful of course, and so was the food.

    Praise: obvious merit first, extra merit second.

  5. 参加費はもちろんのこと、交通費まで会社が出してくれた。

    さんかひはもちろんのこと、こうつうひまでかいしゃがだしてくれた。

    The company paid not only the participation fee, of course, but even the travel costs.

    まで instead of も stresses how far it went.

Similar grammar and the difference

Common mistakes

  • ✗
    彼は漢字はもちろん、古典が読める。
    ✓
    彼は漢字はもちろん、古典も読める。
    Why
    The second item must carry も (or まで / にも); otherwise the 'and also' link disappears.
  • ✗
    漢字がもちろん、古典も読める。
    ✓
    漢字はもちろん、古典も読める。
    Why
    The pattern is fixed as はもちろん; the particle は cannot be replaced with が.
  • ✗
    古典はもちろん、漢字も読める。
    ✓
    漢字はもちろん、古典も読める。
    Why
    Order matters: the easy or obvious item comes first, the surprising one second.

もちろん on its own is an adverb ('of course'); in this pattern it is glued to は. For a verb or clause, use 〜のはもちろん: 話すのはもちろん、書くのも得意だ. The second item often takes まで to show the range is wider than expected.

JLPT N3 tips

On the exam

  • If the second item is marked with も / まで and the first item is an obviously easier case, はもちろん is the answer.
  • Watch for particle traps: the choices may include がもちろん or をもちろん; only はもちろん exists.
  • In 並べ替え, the chunk はもちろん sits right after the first noun; the も-marked noun follows.

Frequently asked questions

What does 〜はもちろん mean?

X of course, and Y too / not to mention X. 〜はもちろん means "X goes without saying, and even Y". The first item is the obvious case; the second is the one that adds new information. "He can read kanji, of course, and classical texts too."

How do you form 〜はもちろん?

Noun + はもちろん + Noun + も / まで / にも / Noun + はもちろんのこと + Noun + も (formal) / Verb / clause + のはもちろん (less common). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

When is 〜はもちろん used?

Used in both speech and writing to praise, describe range, or list what is included. The longer form 〜はもちろんのこと sounds more formal. The second item takes も, まで or にも.

What is the difference between 〜はもちろん and 〜だけでなく〜も?

Neutral 'not only… but also'. はもちろん adds the feeling that the first item is obvious.

What is the difference between 〜はもちろん and 〜は言うまでもなく?

Formal written equivalent: 'needless to say'.

What is a common mistake with 〜はもちろん?

Wrong: 彼は漢字はもちろん、古典が読める。 Right: 彼は漢字はもちろん、古典も読める。 The second item must carry も (or まで / にも); otherwise the 'and also' link disappears.

Quick check

1 / 5Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5

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