Noun をおいて他に Verb ない

〜wo oite hoka ni〜nai

JLPT N1 Very formal, literary Chapter 132: Only this, and nothing else, 3 of 6

Formation

Noun + をおいて他に + Verb negative form

Means 'apart from ~ there's nothing else,' implying the Noun is the best or most suitable choice.

When to use

をおいて他に～ない: no one but X (彼をおいて他にいない).

Explanation

The structure Nounをおいて他に〜ない is used to express that there is no substitute for the Noun, no other choice, or that the Noun is the best or the only one to choose among various options. This form is often used in praising or making strong positive comments about someone or something.

Example sentences

この仕事しごとを彼かれに任まかせる人ひとをおいて他ほかにいない。

Apart from him, there's no one else to entrust this job to.

Kono shigoto wo kare ni makaseru hito wo oite hoka ni inai.
この問題もんだいを解決かいけつできるのは彼かれをおいて他ほかにいない。

Apart from him, there's no one else who can solve this problem.

Kono mondai wo kaiketsu dekiru no wa kare o oite hoka ni inai.
この地域ちいきで美味おいしい麺めんを作つくる店みせをおいて他ほかにない。

There is no other restaurant in this area that makes delicious noodles apart from this one.

Kono chiiki de oishii men o tsukuru mise o oite hoka ni nai.
彼女かのじょの歌声うたごえを超える歌手かしゅをおいて他ほかにいない。

There is no other singer who could surpass her singing voice.

Kanojo no utagoe o koeru kashu o oite hoka ni inai.

Exclusivity (Only / Nothing But)

Compare when to use each