〜はもとより

Presents the first item as too obvious to need saying, then adds a second, less expected item, normally marked with も. It is a formal, written-style expression; the spoken equivalent is 〜はもちろん. Both items are usually nouns of the same category, and the sentence often praises or evaluates something.

• この歌手は国内はもとより、海外でも有名だ。

  このかしゅはこくないはもとより、かいがいでもゆうめいだ。

  This singer is famous not only at home but abroad as well.

• 新入社員は敬語はもとより、電話の対応も習う。

  しんにゅうしゃいんはけいごはもとより、でんわのたいおうもならう。

  New employees learn telephone manners as well as, of course, honorific language.

• あの旅館は料理はもとより、温泉もすばらしかった。

  あのりょかんはりょうりはもとより、おんせんもすばらしかった。

  At that inn the food went without saying, and the hot spring was wonderful too.