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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜をおいて他にない

    〜をおいて他にない

    〜をおいて他にない

    This means there is no one else. It also means there is nothing else. You use it when someone or something is the very best.

    N1KMT9FormalStandardVerb ConstructionMixedOlder SpeakersStrong Literary AssertionGrammar

    Noun + をおいて + 他にないPrimary
    Noun + をおいて + 他にいない

    This means there is no one else. It also means there is nothing else. You use it when someone or something is the very best.

    この繊せん細さいな美うつくしさを表ひょう現げんできる画が家かは、彼かれをおいて他ほかにいないだろう。

    There is probably no painter other than him who can express this delicate beauty.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingConjecturalArt & DesignEmotions & Psychology
    当とう時じ、その難なん局きょくを乗のり切きれる政せい治じ家かは、田た中なか氏しをおいて他ほかになかった。

    At that time, there was no politician other than Mr. Tanaka who could have overcome that difficult situation.

    FormalPastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativePolitics & LawHistory
    次じ期き社しゃ長ちょうには、山やま田ださんをおいて他ほかにいないと、皆みなが思おもっています。

    Everyone thinks that when it comes to the next company president, there is no one but Mr. Yamada.

    PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeBusiness & FinanceWork & Career
    この分ぶん野やの第だい一いち人にん者しゃは、佐さ藤とう教きょう授じゅをおいて他ほかにいないというわけではないが、彼かれが最さい有ゆう力りょく候こう補ほなのは確たしかだ。

    It's not that there is absolutely no one besides Professor Sato who is the leading expert in this field, but it is certain that he is the strongest candidate.

    FormalNon PastNegativeMid SentenceConcessiveEducationScience & Math
    日に本ほん一いちのラーメンを語かたるなら、この店みせをおいて他ほかにない。

    If you're going to talk about the best ramen in Japan, there is no other place than this shop.

    NeutralNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingEmphaticFood & DiningTravel & Transportation

    This phrase sounds very formal. It shows you are very sure. You will see it in books or speeches. You will not hear it in daily talks.

    Both grammar points make strong statements. 「〜をおいて他にない」 says someone or something is the best or only choice. For example, 'Only she can do this job.' 「〜に他ならない」 says what something truly is. For example, 'This success is hard work.'

    Don't use this when talking about bad things. For example, don't say "The bad guy is only him."

    Contrasts with(1)

    〜にすぎない

    This means something is 'only' or 'just' what you said. It shows that it is not very important or special.

    〜をおいて〜ない

    This means there is no one else. It means there is nothing else. Only the thing you named fits this idea.

    〜ほかない

    This means you have no other choice. You must do something because there is no other way.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    Similar concepts

    • 〜に他ならない
    • 〜以外のなにものでもない
    • 〜でなくてなんだろう
    • 〜といっても過言ではない

    contrasts_with

    • 〜にすぎない

    prerequisite

    • 〜をおいて〜ない
    • 〜ほかない

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