不仅...而且... / 不但...而且...
Reach for this pair when you want to stack two true facts and signal that the second one goes BEYOND the first — 'not only X, but also Y.' 不仅 / 不但 opens the first clause; 而且 opens the second and pushes the bar higher. Use it to compliment ('not only smart, but also kind'), to escalate criticism ('not only late, but also rude'), or to argue ('not only effective, but also fair'). It's the standard upgrade structure in writing and formal speech.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 不仅/不但 [POINT 1], 而且 [POINT 2]
bùjǐn... érqiě... / búdàn... érqiě...
How to Think About It
Both halves are TRUE — this isn't a contrast. The first clause states a baseline, and 而且 signals 'and what's more.' Often the second clause adds 也 / 还 right before its verb to reinforce 'on top of that.' If the subject is the same in both clauses, put 不仅/不但 AFTER the subject; if the two clauses have different subjects, put 不仅/不但 BEFORE the subject of clause 1.
Examples
他不仅聪明, 而且很努力。
Tā bùjǐn cōngming, érqiě hěn nǔlì.
He's not only smart, but also very hardworking.
这家餐厅的菜不但便宜, 而且非常好吃。
Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài búdàn piányi, érqiě fēicháng hǎochī.
This restaurant's food is not only cheap but also very tasty.
她不仅会说中文, 而且还会写汉字。
Tā bùjǐn huì shuō Zhōngwén, érqiě hái huì xiě Hànzì.
She not only speaks Chinese, but can also write characters.
Common Mistake
Learners drop 而且 and try to coordinate two clauses with just 不但 / 不仅, leaving the second half hanging. The pair is mandatory at HSK 3 level — 不但 without 而且 (or 还/也) feels chopped.
他不但聪明, 很勤奋。
他不但聪明, 而且很勤奋。
Don't Confuse With
不但... 而且/还...
Same meaning, casual register. 不但 is slightly more colloquial than 不仅. Both pair with 而且/还/也.
不仅是...更是...
Higher-stakes escalation, often used to elevate from concrete to abstract: '这不仅是个错误, 更是一种背叛.' Use 不仅是...更是... when the second clause significantly outranks the first; use 不仅...而且... for ordinary 'and also.'
又...又...
Lists two qualities held simultaneously ('又便宜又好吃') without any escalation. Use 又...又... for parallel facts of similar weight; use 不仅...而且... when the second fact tops the first.
Practice
他 ___ 是我的同学, 而且是我最好的朋友。
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不仅
这个手机不但便宜, ___ 很好用。
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而且
Put in order: [不但 / 而且 / 大 / 这个房间 / 也很亮]
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这个房间不但大, 而且也很亮。
Translate to Chinese: 'She not only loves music, but also plays the piano very well.'
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她不仅喜欢音乐, 而且钢琴弹得很好。
Write one sentence using 不仅...而且... to describe two positive traits of someone you know.
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Example answer: 我妈妈不仅会做饭, 而且做得非常好吃。 (My mom not only knows how to cook, but cooks very well.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 不仅...而且... / 不但...而且... in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this pattern shows up again and again in real context. The transcript marks it, the audio drills it. Free to start, no card.