不仅……（也/还）……
Reach for 不仅...也/还... when you want to stack a second fact on top of a first — 'not only X, but also Y.' It's one of the most common 'and what's more' connectors in Chinese. The first clause introduces one true point; the second adds another point in the same direction. Use 也 when the second clause is parallel ('also'); use 还 when you're emphasizing addition ('what's more'). Common in conversation, writing, and any moment when you want to give two reasons or two qualities at once.
Structure
不仅 [POINT A], 也/还 [ADDITIONAL POINT B]
bùjǐn... yě / hái...
How to Think About It
不仅 sets up an expectation: 'there's more coming.' 也/还 delivers the additional point. Both clauses must share a direction — both positives or both negatives. You can't say 'not only is he smart, but also lazy' with this pattern; that needs a contrast structure. 也 is the neutral 'also'; 还 is slightly more emphatic, suggesting the second point is worth flagging. Compared to 不仅...而且..., the 也/还 version sounds lighter and more conversational.
Examples
她不仅聪明, 也很努力。
Tā bùjǐn cōngmíng, yě hěn nǔlì.
She is not only smart but also very hardworking.
这家店不仅东西好, 价格还便宜。
Zhè jiā diàn bùjǐn dōngxī hǎo, jiàgé hái piányi.
This shop's stuff isn't just good — the prices are cheap too.
他不仅会做饭, 也会洗衣服。
Tā bùjǐn huì zuòfàn, yě huì xǐ yīfu.
He can not only cook but also do laundry.
Common Mistake
Learners forget the second-clause marker (也 or 还), which leaves the addition implied but not signaled. Chinese requires both halves of correlative structures. The other trap: mixing directions — using this pattern to contrast rather than add. 'Not only smart, but also lazy' needs a contrast pattern, not 不仅...也.
他不仅会说中文, 会说英文。
他不仅会说中文, 还会说英文。
Don't Confuse With
不仅...而且...
Same meaning, slightly more formal. 而且 sounds more written; 还/也 sound more conversational. Pick by register.
不仅...更...
更 escalates — the second point is bigger than the first. 还/也 just add another point at the same level. 'Not only smart, but EVEN MORE kind' = 不仅...更; 'not only smart, but ALSO kind' = 不仅...也.
除了...还/也...
除了 lists items ('besides apples, also bananas'); 不仅 builds an argument with two supporting points. Lists vs arguments.
Practice
她 ___ 漂亮, 也很善良。
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不仅
他不仅会唱歌, ___ 会跳舞。
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也
Put in order: [不仅 / 还 / 这本书 / 有用 / 很 / 有趣 / 很]
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这本书不仅很有用, 还很有趣。
Translate to Chinese: 'He not only studies hard, but also helps his classmates.'
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他不仅学习努力, 还帮助同学。
Write a sentence describing two good qualities of a person or place, using 不仅...也/还....
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Example answer: 这家餐厅不仅菜好吃, 服务也很好。 (This restaurant has tasty food and the service is great too.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 不仅……（也/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, no card.