不但 ... 还/而且 ...
Reach for 不但...还/而且... when you want to stack a second point on top of the first and escalate — 'not only X, but also (even) Y.' The second fact is usually stronger, more surprising, or goes further than the first. Common in arguments, compliments, complaints, and product pitches. 还 is more colloquial; 而且 sounds slightly more formal.
Structure
不但 [POINT 1], 还 / 而且 [POINT 2 — bigger / further]
bùdàn... hái / érqiě...
How to Think About It
不但 is a launchpad. It tells the listener 'don't stop at this first point — there's more, and it goes further.' The second clause should clearly escalate (bigger, more surprising, more impressive). Listing two unrelated or equal-weight facts breaks the feel. Same-subject sentences put 不但 AFTER the subject; different-subject sentences put 不但 in front: '不但他来了, 他的家人也都来了.'
Examples
这家餐厅不但便宜, 而且很好吃。
Zhè jiā cāntīng bùdàn piányi, érqiě hěn hǎochī.
This restaurant is not only cheap, it's also delicious.
他不但会说中文, 还会写汉字。
Tā bùdàn huì shuō Zhōngwén, hái huì xiě hànzì.
He can not only speak Chinese, he can even write characters.
这部手机不但贵, 而且电池还很差。
Zhè bù shǒujī bùdàn guì, érqiě diànchí hái hěn chà.
This phone is not only expensive, the battery is also terrible.
Common Mistake
Learners use 不但...还/而且... for any 'and also' relationship, even when the two facts are unrelated or the second isn't stronger. If the second clause doesn't escalate, the sentence sounds off — use 也 or 同时 for a flat 'and also.'
他不但喜欢咖啡, 还有一个姐姐。
他不但喜欢咖啡, 还每天喝五杯。
Don't Confuse With
不仅...而且...
More formal, written-register version. Same structure and meaning, but 不仅 fits essays and news while 不但 fits speech. Many speakers use them interchangeably.
除了 ... 还/也 ...
'Besides X, also Y.' Treats X and Y as equal members of a set, no escalation. 不但...还... insists Y is bigger or more pointed than X.
又 ... 又 ...
Both qualities held at the same time, equal weight, often adjectives: '又便宜又好吃'. 不但...还... can take full clauses and implies escalation, not just coexistence.
Practice
她 ___ 漂亮, 还很聪明。
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不但
他不但来了, ___ 带了礼物。
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还
Put in order: [不但 / 而且 / 这本书 / 有趣 / 很 / 很有用]
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这本书不但很有趣, 而且很有用。
Translate to Chinese: 'He not only finished the work, he even helped me.'
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他不但做完了工作, 还帮了我。
Write one sentence praising or criticizing something with two escalating points, using 不但...还/而且....
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Example answer: 这家咖啡店不但环境好, 而且咖啡也很棒。 (This cafe not only has a nice atmosphere, the coffee is also great.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 2 Fluentide episodes: