～もさることながら

Japanese Grammar Advanced Japanese ★★ 2/5 formal もさることながらmo saru koto nagara
Reading もさることながら
Romaji mo saru koto nagara
Formation Noun + もさることながら + Clause

Meaning

A phrase meaning 'not only... but even more so' or 'while X is certainly important, Y is even more noteworthy.' It acknowledges one element before introducing something the speaker considers more significant.

もさることながら is used to mention something important or obvious and then shift focus to something the speaker considers even more remarkable or relevant. The first element (before もさることながら) is acknowledged as significant, and the second element is presented as deserving greater attention. It carries an appreciative or evaluative tone and is commonly used in reviews, commentary, and formal assessments. The pattern derives from さる (a classical verb meaning 'to be so') and ながら (while). Unlike も + だけでなく, which simply adds items, もさることながら actively ranks them — the second item outshines the first. Learners should note this pattern is relatively formal and literary.

Examples

  1. 料理の味もさることながら、店の雰囲気が非常に心地よかった。 The taste of the food goes without saying, but the atmosphere of the restaurant was exceptionally pleasant.
  2. 技術力もさることながら、彼のコミュニケーション能力が成功の鍵だった。 His technical skill is certainly notable, but his communication ability was the key to his success.
  3. 景色もさることながら、地元の人々の温かさに深く感動した。 The scenery was remarkable, but what moved me deeply was the warmth of the local people.

Usage Guide

Context: written, formal speech, reviews, commentary

Tone: evaluative

Do Say

  • 立地もさることながら、このホテルのサービスは群を抜いている。
  • 演技力もさることながら、彼女の歌唱力には驚かされた。
  • 研究の独自性もさることながら、その社会的意義が高く評価された。

Don't Say

  • 天気もさることながら、ご飯を食べた。(Connecting unrelated items — もさることながら requires the two elements to be in the same evaluative domain; weather and eating have no scalar relationship) → 天気もさることながら、桜の美しさに心を打たれた。
  • 失敗もさることながら、もっと大きな失敗をした。(Using もさることながら for purely negative escalation — the pattern acknowledges a positive or notable element before introducing something even more impressive, not a chain of failures) → 最初の挫折もさることながら、そこから立ち直った精神力こそ賞賛に値する。

Origin & History

Composed of も (also), さる (classical verb meaning 'to be so/such'), こと (thing), and ながら (while). Literally 'while that matter is indeed so,' it evolved into a pattern for acknowledging one point while highlighting another as more significant.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Related Phrases

～だけ (extent) A particle meaning 'to the extent that someone can or wants to do something.' It expresses the idea of doing something as much as possible or to the fullest degree allowed. ～だけあって A phrase meaning 'as one would expect' or 'for good reason.' It indicates that a positive result or quality is natural given the background or effort involved. ～だけに A phrase carrying the idea 'precisely because' or 'as one would expect.' It highlights that a result — whether positive or negative — is particularly noteworthy given the circumstances. ～だけのことはある A phrase expressing an evaluative comment that something lives up to its reputation or that the effort, cost, or background has been worthwhile. It means 'it is worth the fact that' or 'it justifies the fact that.' ～ならでは（の） A phrase meaning 'unique to,' 'only possible with,' or 'impossible if not for.' It highlights something as a distinctive quality or experience exclusive to a particular person, place, or thing. ～のみならず A formal expression meaning 'not only... but also.' It is used in writing and formal speech to indicate that something extends beyond one scope to include additional elements. ～はいいとしても A phrase conveying 'even if we accept X, Y is still a problem.' It concedes one point while drawing attention to a more significant concern or objection. ～はおろか A phrase meaning 'let alone,' 'not to mention,' or 'far from.' It states that not only is a more expected thing true, but even a less expected thing is also true.
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