Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 1: 16/23

に他(ほか)ならないNothing but, None other than, Simply

Structure

Noun + にほかならない(1)

(1) にほかならぬ

Details

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    Formal

About にほかならない

に他(ほか)ならない is a grammar pattern used with nouns to indicate that something is 'definitely (A)', or 'nothing but (A)'. Other common translations are 'none other than (A)', or 'simply (A)'.

This expression is often used to emphasize statements, reasons, or causes.

Being a combination of the noun 他(ほか) 'other' and the negated form of the う-Verb なる 'to become'. This phrase literally just states that (A) will not become anything other than what it is, as the given definition is already the most accurate.

Caution

In formal situations, particularly formal writing, に他(ほか)ならぬ may also sometimes be seen.

  • Aチームがこの大会(たいかい)で優勝(ゆうしょう)できたのは岡村(おかむら)コーチのおかげにほかならぬ。
    The reason why team A was able to win this tournament is simply because of coach Okamura.
  • 我(わ)が社(しゃ)の商品(しょうひん)が人気(にんき)なのは広告(こうこく)が印象的(いんしょうてき)だからにほかならぬ。
    The reason our company's products are popular is simply because our advertisements leave a lasting impression.

Examples

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    第(だい)一(いち)にすべきは人命(じんめい)にほかなりません。

    First and foremost is nothing but living your life.

    三(さん)位(い)という結果(けっか)は彼(かれ)の実力(じつりょく)にほかならない。

    Getting (the result of) 3rd was simply due to his skill.

    通常(つうじょう)の事故(じこ)の原因(げんいん)はスピード違反(いはん)にほかならない。

    The common cause of the accidents is simply people going too fast.

      結局(けっきょく)「笑(わら)い」というのは好(す)き嫌(きら)いにほかならない。

      In the end, 'laughing' is simply up to your likes and dislikes. （好き嫌い = noun)

      彼(かれ)があの番組(ばんぐみ)に出(で)たのは、宣伝(せんでん)にほかならない。

      Him going on that show was simply for publicity.

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        にほかならない – Grammar Discussion

        Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

        • Pablunpro

          Pablunpro

          Hi!

          In the explanation of this grammar point, it says that “に他ならない is a grammar pattern used with verbs to indicate that…” though the pattern is then shown to be used with nouns.

          Further to this, I see in the JGram link that other constructions are possible:

          PLAIN FORMS (Verb, i/na Adjectives, Noun) + にほかならない

          • But in case of Noun and na-Adjective だ is not added
          • There are also Noun/na-Adjective + である
          • when expressing reason から can also be added

          In particular, the last one (addition of から) can be seen in the example sentences provided in the grammar point, as already pointed out by Bruinvis.

          Finally, examples are given of the use of this pattern with verbs by nominalizing them with もの.

        • Zaichiki

          Zaichiki

          A question about an example sentence and the provided translation:
          この会社かいしゃがここまで成長せいちょうしたのは、彼かれとの出会であいがあったからにほかならない
          Bunpro translation: Being able to get this far at this company is thanks to none other than meeting him. - I suppose it implies that “someone got this far”, not “the company got this far”.

          My understanding (rough translation): The fact that this company has grown this much is none other than because (they) met him."

          Am I correctly understanding that the subject of the Japanese sentence is “the company” that grew, not that “someone grew in the company”? Or am I mising something?

        • Pablunpro

          Pablunpro

          Hi!

          My understanding is the same as yours: it is the company the one that has grown (up to this point). Thus the use of が. Furthermore, the second meaning listed in Jisho for 成長 is coherent with this understanding.

          If someone grew in the company, it might be ‘この会社でここまで成長したのは…’.

          HTH!

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