不仅...还...
Reach for 不仅...还... when you want to add a second fact on top of the first — 'not only X, but also Y.' Both halves are real, parallel claims about the same subject; the second one piles on rather than corrects. You'll hear it in product copy, resumes, news write-ups, and casual praise where someone deserves credit for multiple things. The subject usually appears once, before 不仅, then both clauses share it. 还 sits before the second verb to flag the addition.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 不仅 [VERB PHRASE 1]，还 [VERB PHRASE 2]
bùjǐn... hái...
How to Think About It
Two parallel achievements stacked on one subject. The 还 must hug the verb in the second clause — moving it to the front of the clause (before the subject) sounds like English-translated Chinese. If you find the second clause introduces a deeper meaning rather than just another fact, switch to 不仅仅是...更是... instead. Keep 不仅...还... for genuine addition, not rhetorical escalation.
Examples
这件事不仅引起了公众关注, 还推动了相关法律的修改。
Zhè jiàn shì bùjǐn yǐnqǐ le gōngzhòng guānzhù, hái tuīdòng le xiāngguān fǎlǜ de xiūgǎi.
This matter not only drew public attention, but also pushed for revisions to related laws.
她不仅会三种语言, 还在写一本小说。
Tā bùjǐn huì sān zhǒng yǔyán, hái zài xiě yì běn xiǎoshuō.
She not only speaks three languages, but is also writing a novel.
这家公司不仅产品质量好, 服务还非常周到。
Zhè jiā gōngsī bùjǐn chǎnpǐn zhìliàng hǎo, fúwù hái fēicháng zhōudào.
This company not only has great products, the service is also very attentive.
她不仅长得漂亮，还很聪明。
Tā bùjǐn zhǎng de piàoliang, hái hěn cōngming.
She's not only beautiful, but also very smart.
这家餐厅不仅菜好吃，还服务好。
Zhè jiā cāntīng bùjǐn cài hǎochī, hái fúwù hǎo.
This restaurant not only has good food, the service is also good.
他不仅会弹钢琴，还会拉小提琴。
Tā bùjǐn huì tán gāngqín, hái huì lā xiǎotíqín.
He can not only play the piano, but also the violin.
Common Mistake
Learners repeat the subject in the second clause, producing 不仅 he X, he 还 Y. With a single shared subject, Chinese drops the repeat — keeping it makes the sentence wordy and slightly unnatural.
他不仅会说英语，他还会说法语。
他不仅会说英语，还会说法语。
Don't Confuse With
不但...而且...
Same meaning, slightly less formal. 不但 is spoken-friendly; 不仅 leans bookish. In essays and news writing, 不仅 sounds more polished.
不仅...也...
Pair 不仅 with 也 instead of 还 when the second clause sticks more closely in parallel ('not only A also B,' two similar items). 还 lets the second clause feel like an escalation; 也 keeps them at the same level.
不只...还...
不只 is a more colloquial variant of 不仅, with the same partner 还. The difference is fine; 不仅 is slightly more formal/written, 不只 slightly more conversational.
不仅...而且...
Same meaning, slightly more formal. 还 leans conversational; 而且 leans written. Both are correct.
不仅仅是...更是...
Use this when the second clause raises the meaning to a deeper level. 不仅...还... is for parallel addition, not escalation.
Practice
他 ___ 是个好老师, 还是个优秀的作家。
Show answer
不仅
这次活动不仅有意义, ___ 很有趣。
Show answer
还
Put in order: [不仅 / 美 / 这个 / 还 / 风景 / 安静 / 地方 / 很]
Show answer
这个地方不仅风景美, 还很安静。
Translate to Chinese: 'This policy not only affects companies, it also affects ordinary consumers.'
Show answer
这项政策不仅影响企业, 还影响普通消费者。
Write one sentence in formal register using 不仅...还... about an event or policy in the news.
Show answer
Example answer: 这次大会不仅展示了行业最新技术, 还为中小企业提供了合作机会。 (This conference not only showcased the latest industry technology, but also offered cooperation opportunities for small and medium-sized companies.)
Fill in the blank: 这本书 ___ 有趣，还很有用。
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不仅
Fill in the blank: 他不仅会做饭，___ 会做甜点。
Show answer
还
Arrange: 不仅 / 便宜 / 还 / 这件衣服 / 漂亮
Show answer
这件衣服不仅便宜，还漂亮。
Translate: He not only finished his homework, but also helped his sister.
Show answer
他不仅做完了作业，还帮了妹妹。
Write one sentence describing a friend using 不仅...还...
Show answer
我的朋友不仅工作认真，还很热心。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 4 Fluentide episodes. Press play to hear the sentence:
香港可以帮助双方不仅做生意。
Hong Kong can help both sides not only do business.
Starmer Meets Xi on UK–China Visit
这次他来北京，不仅仅是为了唱歌。
This time he came to Beijing not just to sing.
John Legend Explores Beijing HutongsElementary
还引发了官方协会、顶尖高校和公众舆论的集体声讨。
it also drew collective condemnation from an industry association, a top university, and the broader public.
OPPO Mother's Day Ad Demotes China ChiefAdvanced
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 不仅...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.