不仅……也/而且……
Reach for this when one statement isn't enough — you want to stack a second, often stronger point on top. 'Not only A, but also B.' Use 不仅 to set up the first clause, then 也 or 而且 to add the second. 而且 is slightly stronger and more formal; 也 is more conversational. Common in essays, business writing, news commentary, and any context where you want to build a case with two reinforcing facts.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 不仅 [A]，也/而且 [B]
bùjǐn..., yě / érqiě...
How to Think About It
Both clauses point in the SAME direction — that's the key. Unlike 不仅无法……反而会…… (which reverses), this pattern just escalates. The second clause should feel like 'and on top of that...', adding weight rather than contradicting. Native usage often makes B more striking than A, so the sentence builds toward a stronger point.
Examples
她不仅会说中文，也会说日语。
Tā bùjǐn huì shuō Zhōngwén, yě huì shuō Rìyǔ.
Not only can she speak Chinese, she can also speak Japanese.
这家餐厅不仅菜好吃，而且价格便宜。
Zhè jiā cāntīng bùjǐn cài hǎochī, érqiě jiàgé piányi.
This restaurant not only has tasty food, the prices are also cheap.
运动不仅让人健康，而且能改善心情。
Yùndòng bùjǐn ràng rén jiànkāng, érqiě néng gǎishàn xīnqíng.
Exercise not only keeps you healthy, it also improves your mood.
Common Mistake
Learners use 不仅 with a 但是 follow-up, confusing 'not only... but also...' with 'not... but...' contrast. 但是 introduces opposition; 不仅 needs an additive partner (也 or 而且) that continues the same direction.
他不仅聪明，但是很努力。
他不仅聪明，而且很努力。
Don't Confuse With
不但……而且……
Nearly identical to 不仅……而且…… — interchangeable in most cases. 不仅 is slightly more written/formal; 不但 is slightly more conversational.
除了……还/也……
Same 'in addition to' feel but starts from an item already in a known set. Pick 除了 when listing items the listener already knows about; pick 不仅 when both points are fresh information.
不仅无法/不……反而会……
Same 不仅 opening but the second clause REVERSES the expectation. Use 反而 only when the second clause undoes the first; use 也/而且 when both clauses agree.
Practice
他____仅工作努力，而且对人很好。
Show answer
不
这本书不仅有趣，____很有用。
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也
Put in order: [不仅 / 而且 / 漂亮 / 这个城市 / 安全 / 很 / ，]
Show answer
这个城市不仅漂亮，而且很安全。
Translate to Chinese: 'He not only studies hard, he also helps his classmates.'
Show answer
他不仅学习努力，也帮助同学。
Write a sentence with two positive points about a place or person using 不仅……而且/也……
Show answer
Example answer: 我的中文老师不仅讲课清楚，而且非常有耐心。 (My Chinese teacher not only explains things clearly, but is also very patient.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 不仅……也/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.