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.
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.
Practice
Fill in the blank: 她 ___ 仅会说英语，还会说法语。
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不
Fill in the blank: 这本书不仅有趣，___ 很有用。
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也
Arrange into a sentence: 还 / 不仅 / 很 / 这家店 / 服务好 / 干净
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这家店不仅干净，服务还很好。
Translate to Chinese: He is not only smart, but also very hardworking.
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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。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: