Japanese with Manga

Care for not only your face but also your body with 〜だけでなく〜も

Grammar Explanation: Not only this but also that with 〜だけではなく〜も

Manga panel from シャドーハウス showing example of Care for not only your face but also your body with 〜だけでなく〜も.
シャドーハウス » Volume 6 » Page 45

Benjamin suggests Louise do push-ups alongside Lou, her “Living Doll”. When Louise tires quickly, he notes that Living Dolls also tire.

ベンジャミン:
「顔(かお)だけでなく体(からだ)も労(ねぎら)ってやれ。」
“Take care of not only your face but also your body.”
Literal: “Give care not only to your face but also to your body.”
「道具(どうぐ)の使(つか)い方(かた)を誤(あやま)るな」
“Don't misuse your tools.”
Literal: “Do not mistake how to use your tools.”

Key Points

1だけでなく〜も pairs two things to include both
  • 顔(かお)だけでなく体(からだ)も sets up “not only the face, but the body too”.
  • The second も marks the added item, so the care should extend beyond Lou’s face.
2労(ねぎら)ってやれ is a command to show care
  • 労(ねぎら)う means to appreciate or take care of someone after effort; here it fits Benjamin’s advice after push-ups.
  • 〜てやれ is a rough supportive command: “do it for them”.
3The second line sharpens the warning
  • 道具(どうぐ)の使(つか)い方(かた)を誤(あやま)るな frames the body as a tool that should not be misused.
シャドーハウス © its respective creators. It is used here for educational commentary.