不仅...也/还...
Reach for this when you want to stack two true statements about the same subject and signal that the second one goes beyond expectation — 'not only X, but also Y.' 不仅 introduces the first quality, 也 or 还 introduces the second, often something stronger or more surprising. Used freely in speech and writing. The two clauses can share a subject (then the subject appears once at the front) or each have its own when you want to make a wider claim.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 不仅 [PART A]，也/还 [PART B]。
bù jǐn... yě / hái...
How to Think About It
不仅 sets up a small expectation and 也/还 over-fulfills it. You are basically telling the listener 'don't stop here — there is more.' Native speakers feel weird if you drop 也/还; without the closing word the second half hangs in the air. Choose 还 when the second item is an upgrade or surprise; choose 也 when the two items are roughly equal additions.
Examples
这家餐厅不仅好吃，也很便宜。
Zhè jiā cāntīng bùjǐn hǎochī, yě hěn piányi.
This restaurant is not only delicious, but also cheap.
他不仅会弹钢琴，还会写歌。
Tā bùjǐn huì tán gāngqín, hái huì xiě gē.
He can not only play piano, he can also write songs.
运动不仅对身体好，也能让心情变好。
Yùndòng bùjǐn duì shēntǐ hǎo, yě néng ràng xīnqíng biàn hǎo.
Exercise is not only good for the body, it also lifts your mood.
这家餐厅不仅菜好吃, 价格也很便宜。
Zhè jiā cāntīng bùjǐn cài hǎochī, jiàgé yě hěn piányi.
At this restaurant the food is not only tasty, it's also cheap.
她不仅是一位优秀的老师, 更是一个好妈妈。
Tā bùjǐn shì yí wèi yōuxiù de lǎoshī, gèng shì yí ge hǎo māma.
She's not only an excellent teacher — she's an even better mother.
运动不仅能强身, 也能减压。
Yùndòng bùjǐn néng qiáng shēn, yě néng jiǎn yā.
Exercise not only builds your body, it also relieves stress.
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.
他不仅仅是我的同事, 也是我的朋友。
Tā bùjǐnjǐn shì wǒ de tóngshì, yě shì wǒ de péngyou.
He isn't just my coworker, he's also my friend.
Common Mistake
Learners say 不仅...而且... and forget that 也/还 is the conversational closer. They also sometimes leave 也/还 out, which makes the sentence sound unfinished.
他不仅会说中文，会说日语。
他不仅会说中文，还会说日语。
Don't Confuse With
不但...而且...
Same meaning, slightly more formal/written. 不仅...也/还... is the natural choice in conversation.
除了...还/也...
除了 marks an exception or starting point ('apart from X, also Y'). 不仅 stresses that X is true AND Y is also true — both items count.
又...又...
又...又... lists two simultaneous qualities of equal weight (又便宜又好吃). 不仅...还... adds a sense of escalation — the second item goes further than expected.
不但...而且...
Near-identical meaning, slightly more formal. 不但...而且... is the textbook version; 不仅...也/更... is more common in news and modern writing.
不仅...还...
还 in the second clause is the everyday additive — works for either equal-weight or escalating. Pick 还 when you want a neutral conversational tone; pick 更 specifically to signal escalation.
Practice
Fill in the blank: 她 ___ 仅会说英语，还会说法语。
Show answer
不
Fill in the blank: 这本书不仅有趣，___ 很有用。
Show answer
也
Arrange into a sentence: 还 / 不仅 / 很 / 这家店 / 服务好 / 干净
Show answer
这家店不仅干净，服务还很好。
Translate to Chinese: He is not only smart, but also very hardworking.
Show answer
他不仅聪明，还很努力。
Write a sentence about something that has two positive qualities, using 不仅...也/还....
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这个城市不仅风景美，物价也不贵。
他不仅聪明, ___ 很努力。
Show answer
也
___ 学生应该读书, 老师也应该读书。
Show answer
不仅
Put in order: [更 / 这本书 / 有趣 / 不仅 / 有用]
Show answer
这本书不仅有趣, 更有用。
Translate to Chinese: 'He not only speaks Chinese, he writes it too.'
Show answer
他不仅会说中文, 也会写中文。
Describe a person or thing with two qualities using 不仅...也/更...
Show answer
Example answer: 这座城市不仅风景美, 食物也很有特色。 (This city has not only beautiful scenery but also distinctive food.)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 4 Fluentide episodes. Press play to hear the sentence:
很多人都知道Jisoo，她不仅唱歌很好听，现在也开始演戏了。
Many people know Jisoo; not only does she sing very well, but now she has also started acting.
Jisoo's Boyfriend on Demand Netflix DramaIntermediate
它不仅卖美国的东西，也卖中国的东西。
It not only sells American things but also Chinese things.
Sam's Club Thrives in China While Rivals RetreatIntermediate
它带来了技术的进步，也带来了短缺。
It has brought technological progress, but also shortages.
AI Data Centers Squeeze Oregon's Power GridIntermediate
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.