Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 6: 11/17

もさることながらIt is a fact that, But, Even more than, It goes without saying, Not only but also,

Structure

Noun + もさることながら

Details

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    Formal

About もさることながら

もさることながら is a construction in Japanese that is often translated as 'it goes without saying that (A), but (B)', or 'not only (A), but (B) too'. This expression is a combination of the adverbial particle も, the pre-noun adjectival さる 'particular', or 'certain', the noun 事(こと) 'thing', and the conjunction particle ながら 'while'. Due to this, the more literal translation is simply 'while (A) is also of particular merit, (B)'. This literal translation will be helpful to remember, as もさることながら will always present (A) as important, but (B) as even more important than that.

もさることながら will be attached to the end of nouns and noun phrases.

As (B) is being emphasized in sentences that use this grammar structure, it is common to see other expressions of emphasis combined with もさることながら. Some examples include さらに 'additionally', なにより 'more than anything', and 以上(いじょう) 'above that'.

Examples

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    経営(けいえい)会議(かいぎ)：社長（しゃちょう）「競争(きょうそう)が激(はげ)しいからマーケティング予算(よさん)を上(あ)げよう。」
    部長(ぶちょう)「マーケティングもさることながら製品(せいひん)品質(ひんしつ)も重要(じゅうよう)なのではないでしょうか？」

    Management meeting, company president: 'The competition is intense, so we will increase the marketing budget.'
    Head director: 'It is a fact that marketing is important, but isn't the product quality too?'

    小説(しょうせつ)：「だが、この国(くに)の強(つよ)さは、自国(じこく)の単独(たんどく)力量(りきりょう)もさることながら、同盟国(どうめいこく)の多(おお)さにある。」

    Novel: 'However, it is a fact that the strength of this country lies in its power, but it also has numerous allies.'

    入学(にゅうがく)試験(しけん)を受(う)けることは、当人(とうにん)の苦痛(くつう)もさることながら、家族(かぞく)にも、大(おお)きな心理的(しんりてき)負担(ふたん)を与(あた)えます。

    It is a fact that taking an entrance exam is stressful for the person concerned, but it also places a psychological burden on the family.

    日本語(にほんご)を勉強(べんきょう)するとき、熱心(ねっしん)さもさることながら、長(なが)い目(め)で見(み)て一貫性(いっかんせい)も重要(じゅうよう)な要素(ようそ)である。

    When learning Japanese, it is a fact that enthusiasm is an important factor, but in the long term - consistency too.

    伝記(でんき)：「選手(せんしゅ)としての彼(かれ)の素晴(すば)らしい才能(さいのう)もさることながら、何(なに)より信望(しんぼう)や指導力(しどうりょく)が成功(せいこう)の要因(よういん)となった。」

    Biography: 'It is a fact that he has great ability as a player, but more than anything, his popularity and leadership skills were the cause of his success.'

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