Translation guide
Used to add a stronger or more obvious point to an argument. In Japanese, this is expressed with sentence-ending particles, conjunctions, or set phrases that emphasize the preceding statement and imply 'and of course...' or 'let alone...'.
The speaker states something, then adds a more extreme or obvious related point, meaning 'and certainly also...' or 'not to mention...'.
A common pattern meaning 'not to mention A, also B'. 'Aはもちろん' literally 'A is a matter of course', followed by 'Bも' (B also). Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼は英語はもちろん、フランス語も話せる。
He can speak French, not to mention English.
This restaurant has great service, not to mention the taste.
More formal/literary than 'Aはもちろん'. '言うまでもなく' means 'it goes without saying'. Suitable for writing or formal speech.
彼の功績は言うまでもなく、人柄も尊敬されている。
His personality is respected, not to mention his achievements.
Emphatic pattern meaning 'far from A, even B'. Often used when B is more extreme than A. Can imply 'not to mention' in a stronger, sometimes negative sense.
彼は謝るどころか、逆に怒り出した。
He got angry, not to mention apologizing.
Used to say that something is so far from being possible that even a lesser thing is impossible. 'He can't even walk, let alone run.'
Formal/literary pattern meaning 'let alone A, not even B'. Used with negative predicates. 'Aはおろか' emphasizes that A is out of the question.
彼は走ることはおろか、歩くこともできない。
He can't even walk, let alone run.
海外旅行はおろか、国内旅行すらしたことがない。
I've never even traveled domestically, let alone abroad.
Similar to 'Aはおろか' but more common in spoken Japanese. Emphatically denies both A and B.
彼は英語どころか、日本語もろくに話せない。
He can't even speak Japanese properly, let alone English.
Adverb meaning 'much less; let alone'. Used at the beginning of a clause. Often in formal or literary contexts.
Adding an extra piece of information as an afterthought, similar to 'and also...' or 'not to mention...' in casual speech.
Simple conjunction meaning 'in addition; besides'. Used in casual conversation to add another point.
今日は疲れた。それにお腹も空いた。
I'm tired today, not to mention hungry.
Casual conjunction meaning 'on top of that; to make matters worse'. Often used for negative additions.
'Aはもちろん' is used for positive additions ('not to mention A, also B'). 'Aはおろか' is used in negative contexts ('let alone A, not even B'). Mixing them up can change the meaning drastically.
彼は英語はもちろん、フランス語も話せる。
He speaks French, not to mention English. (positive)
彼は英語はおろか、フランス語も話せない。
He can't speak French, let alone English. (negative)
There is no direct word-for-word translation of 'not to mention'. Using '言及しない' (mention) would be unnatural. Instead, use the patterns above that fit the context.
彼は簡単な計算もできない。ましてや複雑な数学は無理だ。
He can't do simple calculations, let alone complex math.
It started raining, not to mention the wind is strong.