不仅...而且/也...
Reach for 不仅...而且/也... when you want to make two related points in sequence — 'not only X, but also Y.' It's the workhorse 'and what's more' connector. 而且 is the formal, written choice; 也 is lighter and more conversational. The two clauses must run in the same direction (both positives or both negatives). You'll see this pattern everywhere in news and analytical writing because it lets the author build an argument from two reinforcing points.
Structure
不仅 [POINT A], 而且/也 [POINT B IN SAME DIRECTION]
bùjǐn... érqiě / yě...
How to Think About It
不仅 announces 'there's more': it tells the listener the first clause isn't the whole story. 而且/也 then delivers the additional point. The pattern requires BOTH halves — drop 不仅 and the sentence becomes a plain 'X and also Y'; drop 而且/也 and the addition is implied but unmarked. Compared to 不仅...更..., this version is parallel; 更 would escalate. Pick 而且 in writing, 也 in speech.
Examples
她不仅是老师, 而且是作家。
Tā bùjǐn shì lǎoshī, érqiě shì zuòjiā.
She is not only a teacher, but also a writer.
这部电影不仅好看, 而且有意义。
Zhè bù diànyǐng bùjǐn hǎokàn, érqiě yǒu yìyì.
This movie is not only entertaining, but also meaningful.
他不仅会写代码, 也会做设计。
Tā bùjǐn huì xiě dàimǎ, yě huì zuò shèjì.
He can not only code, but also do design.
Common Mistake
Learners use this pattern to contrast — saying 'not only smart, but also lazy' — but the two clauses must share direction. For contrast, use 不仅没...反而... or 虽然...但.... The other trap: forgetting that the subject stays consistent across both clauses unless explicitly repeated.
他不仅聪明, 而且很懒。
他不仅聪明, 而且很努力。
Don't Confuse With
不仅...也/还...
Slightly more conversational. 也/还 sound lighter than 而且. In speech reach for 也; in essays and news 而且 is the safer choice.
不仅...更...
Escalation, not parallel addition. 更 says the second clause is bigger/more important. 而且/也 keep both clauses level. Pick 更 when you want the punchline; 而且 when you want balance.
除了...还/也...
除了 lists items, 不仅 builds an argument. '除了苹果还有香蕉' = besides apples, also bananas (list). '他不仅聪明而且勤奋' = he's not only smart but also hardworking (argument).
Practice
他 ___ 聪明, 而且很努力。
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不仅
这家店不仅东西好, ___ 价格便宜。 (use the more formal connector)
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而且
Put in order: [不仅 / 而且 / 她 / 漂亮 / 善良 / 很 / 很]
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她不仅很漂亮, 而且很善良。
Translate to Chinese: 'This product is not only cheap, but also high quality.'
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这个产品不仅便宜, 而且质量好。
Write a sentence praising two things about a person, place, or product, using 不仅...而且....
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Example answer: 这家餐厅不仅味道好, 而且服务非常贴心。 (This restaurant not only tastes great, but also has very attentive service.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 不仅...而且/也... 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.