1.
not ~ but, rather than ~
Negates one thing and implies or states an alternative.
ではなく is a negative connective form that contrasts two things.
Forms
- Noun + ではなく (neutral to formal; common in writing)
- Noun + じゃなく / じゃなくて (casual, spoken)
- Noun + ではなくて (continuing the sentence)
- Verb or adjective + のではなく: 覚えるのではなく、理解する (understand rather than memorize)
Common patterns
- A ではなく B: "not A but B"
- A ではなく、B だ: "It's not A, it's B"
Related Words
Compare:
どころか (far from)