不仅……还/而且……
Reach for this when you're stacking two facts and the second one is bigger, more impressive, or surprising — 'not only X, but also Y.' 不仅 sets up the first point; 还 or 而且 introduces the upgrade. The structure carries a sense of escalation: the second clause typically deepens, intensifies, or surprises. Common in essays, descriptions, reviews, persuasive writing, and educated speech. 而且 leans slightly more formal/written; 还 is more conversational. Both work — pick by register.
Structure
Subject + 不仅 + Clause A, + 还/而且 + Clause B.
bù jǐn... hái / ér qiě...
How to Think About It
Think of it as a two-step ladder. Step one (不仅) is the base claim — true, fine. Step two (还 / 而且) is the higher rung, where the real point lives. Native speakers reach for this pattern when they want the listener to feel the second clause as more important than the first. The shared subject usually sits before 不仅; the second clause repeats verbs but not the subject.
Examples
他不仅聪明，还很努力。
Tā bù jǐn cōngmíng, hái hěn nǔlì.
He's not only smart — he's also very hardworking.
这家餐厅不仅菜好吃，而且服务也很好。
Zhè jiā cāntīng bù jǐn cài hǎochī, érqiě fúwù yě hěn hǎo.
This restaurant has great food, and the service is great too.
她不仅会唱歌，还会跳舞。
Tā bù jǐn huì chànggē, hái huì tiàowǔ.
Not only can she sing, she can dance too.
学中文不仅有用，而且很有意思。
Xué Zhōngwén bù jǐn yǒuyòng, érqiě hěn yǒu yìsi.
Learning Chinese is not only useful — it's also fun.
Common Mistake
Learners drop 还 or 而且 in the second clause, leaving just 不仅 X, Y. The pair is mandatory — without the second marker, the sentence sounds incomplete or feels like two unconnected statements.
他不仅会说中文，会说日文。
他不仅会说中文，还会说日文。
Don't Confuse With
不但...而且...
Near-identical meaning, slightly more formal/written. Use 不但 in essays and reports; 不仅 fits both speech and writing comfortably.
不只是...也是...
Identity-focused — 'not only IS X but also Y.' Use for noun categories ('he's not just a teacher, he's also a writer'). 不仅...还/而且... is broader, covering actions, qualities, and clauses.
又...又...
'Both X and Y' — neutral parallel, no escalation. 不仅...还... implies the second item is the bigger deal; 又...又... treats them as equal.
Practice
Fill in: 他____会说英语，____会说中文。
Show answer
不仅 / 还
Arrange: 漂亮 / 这 / 而且 / 城市 / 干净 / 很 / 不仅 / 个
Show answer
这个城市不仅漂亮，而且很干净。
Translate to Chinese: She is not only a teacher, she is also a writer.
Show answer
她不仅是老师，还是作家。
Use 不仅...还/而且... to describe someone with two strong qualities.
Show answer
我哥哥不仅工作努力，而且对家人很好。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 不仅……还/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.