～にとどまらず
Meaning
A phrase meaning 'not limited to' or 'going beyond.' It indicates that something exceeds a certain boundary, scope, or expectation and extends further.
にとどまらず states that a situation, effect, or scope does not stop at the mentioned limit but continues or expands beyond it. It is often followed by a phrase showing the wider extent, commonly using さらに (furthermore) or まで (even to). The pattern is frequently used in news, academic writing, and formal contexts to describe phenomena with wide-ranging impact. It differs from だけでなく (not only) in being more formal and emphasizing the dynamic sense of 'exceeding a boundary' rather than simply adding information. The related form にとどまることなく carries the same meaning with a slightly more emphatic tone. Common collocations include 国内にとどまらず海外にも (not limited to domestic but also overseas).
Examples
- この問題は一企業にとどまらず、業界全体に波及している。 This problem is not limited to one company but has spread across the entire industry.
- 彼の影響力は国内にとどまらず、海外にも広がっている。 His influence extends beyond the domestic sphere to overseas as well.
- 被害は物的損害にとどまらず、精神的な打撃も深刻だった。 The damage was not limited to material losses; the psychological impact was also severe.
Usage Guide
Context: written, news, academic
Tone: analytical
Do Say
- この技術革新は製造業にとどまらず、サービス業にも変革をもたらしている。
- 彼女の研究成果は学術界にとどまらず、社会政策にも反映されている。
- 感染症の影響は健康面にとどまらず、経済や教育にも深刻な影を落とした。
Don't Say
- 昼ご飯にとどまらず、晩ご飯も食べた。(Using にとどまらず for trivial everyday actions — it implies exceeding a significant boundary, not simply doing two things) → この支援は食料の配給にとどまらず、住居の確保にまで及んだ。
- この本は面白いにとどまらず、役に立つ。(Attaching にとどまらず to an adjective — it connects to nouns only) → この本の価値は娯楽にとどまらず、実用的な知識の提供にもある。
Origin & History
Composed of に (particle), とどまる (to stay/remain, from 留まる/止まる), and ず (classical negative). Literally 'without remaining at,' it expresses exceeding a limit or boundary.
Cultural Context
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Related Phrases
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