～は言うまでもなく

• Reading: はいうまでもなく
• Romaji: wa iu made mo naku
• Formation: Noun A + は言うまでもなく + Noun B + も
• Kanji breakdown: 言 (say) + まで (until) + も (even) + なく (without)

Meaning

An adverbial phrase meaning 'not to mention,' 'needless to say,' or 'let alone.' It presents something obvious as a given and then adds something that might be less expected.

は言うまでもなく establishes a strong item as an undisputed fact and then extends the scope to include something additional, often surprising or noteworthy. The structure is 'A は言うまでもなく B も' — 'A goes without saying, and B as well.' It is more formal than はもちろん and carries a rhetorical weight that emphasizes the speaker's confidence. The phrase literally means 'it doesn't even need to be said.' Variations include 言うまでもないが (it goes without saying, but) used at the start of a sentence. It appears frequently in essays, speeches, and formal writing.

Examples

1. 英語は言うまでもなくフランス語も堪能です。 Not to mention English, she is also fluent in French.
2. 国内は言うまでもなく海外でも人気のあるブランドだ。 It's a brand that is popular not only domestically but also overseas.
3. 味は言うまでもなくサービスも素晴らしいレストランです。 It's a restaurant where not only the food but also the service is wonderful.

Usage Guide

Context: written, formal speech, essays

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 健康は言うまでもなく精神的な安定も大事だ。
• 日本語は言うまでもなく英語でも論文を書ける。
• 品質は言うまでもなく価格面でも他社に勝っている。

Don't Say

• 雨は言うまでもなく降っている。(Using は言うまでもなく without a second, additional element — the pattern requires an A-and-also-B structure) → 言うまでもなく雨が降っている。
• ご飯は言うまでもなくパンも食べた。(Using は言うまでもなく for trivial everyday actions — the pattern implies that A is obviously impressive or significant) → ご飯もパンも食べた。

Origin & History

This phrase combines 言う (to say), まで (until/extent), も (even), and なく (without), literally meaning 'without even going so far as to say.' It reflects the Japanese rhetorical tradition of understating the obvious to emphasize a broader point.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal