不仅……而且/也/还……
Reach for 不仅...而且/也/还... when you want to add a second, stronger point on top of the first — 'not only X, but also Y.' Y should escalate the case, not just list another fact. Use 而且 in writing and formal speech, 也 / 还 in casual conversation. Common in essays, persuasive talk, and product descriptions ('not only cheap, but also high quality'). The two clauses usually share the same subject; if subjects differ, place 不仅 before the subject of the first clause.
Structure
(Subject) + 不仅 + Clause 1, 而且 / 也 / 还 + Clause 2
bù jǐn... ér qiě / yě / hái...
How to Think About It
不仅...而且... is a ladder, not a list. The second clause has to be a step up — more impressive, more surprising, more relevant. 'Not only does he speak Chinese, but he also writes poetry in it' works; 'not only does he speak Chinese, but he also likes pizza' falls flat because pizza isn't an escalation. If you're just listing two facts, use 又... 又... or 既... 又... instead.
Examples
这家餐厅不仅菜好吃，而且价格也很合理。
Zhè jiā cān tīng bù jǐn cài hǎo chī, ér qiě jià gé yě hěn hé lǐ.
This restaurant not only has good food, but the prices are also reasonable.
他不仅会说三种语言，还能用每种语言写文章。
Tā bù jǐn huì shuō sān zhǒng yǔ yán, hái néng yòng měi zhǒng yǔ yán xiě wén zhāng.
He not only speaks three languages, he can also write articles in each of them.
运动不仅对身体好，也能让人心情愉快。
Yùn dòng bù jǐn duì shēn tǐ hǎo, yě néng ràng rén xīn qíng yú kuài.
Exercise isn't just good for your body — it also lifts your mood.
不仅孩子喜欢这部动画，连大人都看得入迷。
Bù jǐn hái zi xǐ huan zhè bù dòng huà, lián dà rén dōu kàn de rù mí.
Not only do kids love this cartoon — even adults get hooked on it.
Common Mistake
Learners drop the 而且/也/还 in the second clause, copying English which only needs 'not only X, but Y.' Chinese requires both halves of the connector. Without 而且/也/还, the sentence feels cut off.
他不仅会说中文，会写中文。
他不仅会说中文，而且会写中文。
Don't Confuse With
又... 又...
Used for listing two parallel qualities ('both X and Y'), no escalation implied. Use 又...又... for descriptions where neither side outranks the other; use 不仅...而且... when the second point clearly raises the stakes.
除了... 还/也...
'In addition to X, also Y.' Treats both as known information being added together. 不仅...而且... is more rhetorical — it builds an argument by stacking points.
并且...
并且 is a simple 'and' connector in formal writing. It joins clauses neutrally. 不仅...而且... announces that the second clause is more significant, not just another item.
Practice
Fill in: 他____会做饭，____做得很好吃。
Show answer
不仅；而且
Translate to Chinese: This phone is not only cheap, it's also very easy to use.
Show answer
这个手机不仅便宜，而且很好用。
Arrange: 不仅 / 而且 / 她 / 会画画 / 唱歌 / 也
Show answer
她不仅会画画，而且也会唱歌。
Use 不仅...而且... to describe a friend or a place with two strong qualities.
Show answer
我的朋友不仅聪明，而且非常努力。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 不仅……而且/也/还…… 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.