不仅……，还/也……
Reach for this when one fact isn't enough — you want to add a second, related fact that escalates or extends the first. 'Not only did they win the match, they also got the highest honor.' 不仅 sets up the first thing as significant; 还 or 也 in the second clause says 'and here's MORE on top.' This is the classic upgrade-the-stakes connector in Chinese.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 不仅 [FACT 1], 还/也 [FACT 2]
bùjǐn..., hái / yě...
How to Think About It
不仅 is a promise that more is coming. The 还/也 in the second clause completes the promise — drop them and the sentence sounds half-finished, because 不仅 by itself doesn't say 'but also.' Native speakers feel the imbalance immediately. A useful subtlety: 还 implies the second fact is a step beyond the first ('and even more'); 也 is flatter, just 'and also.'
Examples
他不仅会说中文, 还会写汉字。
Tā bùjǐn huì shuō Zhōngwén, hái huì xiě Hànzì.
He not only can speak Chinese, he can also write characters.
这家餐厅的菜不仅好吃, 也很便宜。
Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài bùjǐn hǎochī, yě hěn piányi.
The food at this restaurant is not only delicious but also cheap.
运动不仅对身体好, 还能让人开心。
Yùndòng bùjǐn duì shēntǐ hǎo, hái néng ràng rén kāixīn.
Exercise is not only good for the body, it can also make people happy.
Common Mistake
Learners drop the 还/也 because English 'not only' can stand without 'but also.' In Chinese the second half must be marked.
他不仅会说英语, 会说中文。
他不仅会说英语, 还会说中文。
Don't Confuse With
不但……而且……
Very close in meaning. 不但 is slightly more formal; 不仅 is the everyday workhorse. Both pair with 还/也.
除了……还/也……
除了 starts from 'besides X' — listing X as a given and adding more. 不仅 emphasizes that X alone is already notable AND there's more.
不仅……反而……
Different turn: 反而 marks a CONTRARY result, not addition ('not only didn't help, instead made it worse').
Practice
她_____ 漂亮, 还很聪明。 (not only)
Show answer
不仅
他不仅会唱歌, _____ 会跳舞。 (also)
Show answer
还 (or 也)
Arrange: 不仅 / 中文 / 学 / 还 / 我 / 日文 / 学
Show answer
我不仅学中文, 还学日文。
Translate: This phone is not only cheap but also very useful.
Show answer
这个手机不仅便宜, 还很好用。
Write a sentence with 不仅...还/也... about a friend's strengths.
Show answer
我的朋友不仅很努力, 还非常善良。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 不仅……，还/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.