不仅仅是A，更是B
Reach for this when you want to insist that something matters more than the obvious label suggests — 'not merely A, but even more so B.' The 不仅仅是 concedes A as accurate; the 更是 pushes B as the deeper, weightier truth. It's the heavyweight version of 不只是...也是 — same shape but with extra rhetorical force from 仅仅 ('merely') and 更 ('even more'). Common in policy analysis, op-eds, and any argument that wants to elevate the stakes.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 不仅仅是 [SURFACE CATEGORY A]，更是 [DEEPER CATEGORY B]
bù jǐnjǐn shì..., gèng shì...
How to Think About It
仅仅 = 'merely,' 更 = 'even more.' The pattern stacks two intensifiers to do something specific: dismiss A as too small a label, then raise B as the truer, larger frame. Where 不只是...也是 just adds B alongside A, 不仅仅是...更是 demotes A in the same breath that elevates B. Use it when you want the listener to feel that the second label is OBVIOUSLY more important than the first.
Examples
这次成功不仅仅是个人的，更是整个团队的。
Zhè cì chénggōng bù jǐnjǐn shì gèrén de, gèng shì zhěnggè tuánduì de.
This success isn't merely personal — it's even more so the whole team's.
环境保护不仅仅是政府的责任，更是每个人的责任。
Huánjìng bǎohù bù jǐnjǐn shì zhèngfǔ de zérèn, gèng shì měi ge rén de zérèn.
Environmental protection isn't merely the government's responsibility — it's even more so each person's.
教育不仅仅是知识的传递，更是品格的塑造。
Jiàoyù bù jǐnjǐn shì zhīshi de chuándì, gèng shì pǐngé de sùzào.
Education isn't merely the transmission of knowledge — it's even more so the shaping of character.
Common Mistake
Learners use this pattern with B equal in weight to A, treating it like 'both A and B.' But 更是 explicitly claims B outweighs A. If both halves are equal, switch to 既...又 or 不仅...而且. Use 不仅仅是...更是 only when B is meant to dominate.
他不仅仅是医生，更是律师。(equal weights — sounds odd)
清洁电力不仅仅是能源问题，更是产业战略问题。
Don't Confuse With
不只是...也是...
Lighter escalation. 不只是 X 也是 Y adds B alongside A. 不仅仅是 X 更是 Y elevates B above A. Pick by how much you want to dramatize the second label.
不仅...而且...
Connects two clauses or predicates ('not only A but also B'), often with verbs. 不仅仅是...更是 specifically swaps labels (noun phrases). The shape is similar but the slot type differs.
不光...还...
Colloquial 'not only…also…' — neutral weighting. 不仅仅是...更是 is more formal and elevates B. Pick 不光...还 for casual speech, 不仅仅是...更是 for op-ed register.
Practice
清洁电力 ___ 能源问题，更是产业战略问题。
Show answer
不仅仅是
这件事不仅仅是公司的事，___ 整个行业的事。
Show answer
更是
Arrange: 更是 / 不仅仅是 / 一种习惯 / 一种态度 / 读书
Show answer
读书不仅仅是一种习惯，更是一种态度。
This decision isn't merely an economic one — it's even more so a political one.
Show answer
这个决定不仅仅是经济问题，更是政治问题。
Use 不仅仅是...更是... to elevate a topic from a small label to a much bigger one.
Show answer
学一门外语不仅仅是学语言，更是了解一种文化。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 不仅仅是A，更是B 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.