Expressing "not only... but also" with "budan... erqie..."
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Level
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Similar to
- Expressing "and" with "he" (A1)
- Expressing "and also" with "hai" (A2)
- Expressing "both A and B" with "you" (A2)
- Expressing "except" and "in addition" with "chule… yiwai" (B1)
- Expressing "in addition" with "haiyou" (B1)
- Expressing "in addition" with "lingwai" (B1)
- Expressing "in addition" with "zaishuo" (B1)
- Advanced uses of "hai" (B2)
- Expressing "not only..., even..." using "budan..., shenzhi lian" (B2)
- Many types of "not only... but also..." (B2)
- Using "budan... geng" to express "not only... but also" (B2)
- Using "er" to explain contrasting ideas (B2)
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Used for
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Keywords
"不但⋯⋯，而且⋯⋯" (bùdàn..., érqiě...) is a very commonly used pattern that indicates "not only, ... but also...."
Contents
One Subject
Structure
Subject + 不但 + Adj./Verb, 而且 + Adj./Verb
The same subject should apply to both the first part and the second part (the part after 而且).
The pattern can also be used omitting 而且, and instead using adverbs like 也 and 还 in its place.
Examples
- 他 不但 做 完 了 所有 的 工作 ，而且 做 得 非常 好 。Not only did he finish all the work, but he also did it extremely well.
- 这 种 菜 不但 好吃 ，而且 有 营养 。This kind of vegetable is not only delicious, but nutritious as well.
- 她 不但 会 说 汉语 ，而且 会 说 日语。She can not only speak Mandarin, but can also speak Japanese.
- 这个 学生 不但 会 说 中文 ，而且 中文 说 得 很 好 。Not only can this student speak Chinese, but also speaks it well.
- 他 不但 能 修 汽车，还 能 修 自行车 。He not only can fix cars, but can also fix bicycles.
- 啊！他 很 聪明，不但 上 了 很 好 的 大学，而且 有 很 好 的 成绩。Wow. He's really smart. Not only did he go to a good university, but he also got really good grades.
Two Different Subjects
When there is only one subject with 不但⋯⋯而且⋯⋯, the subject has to come at the beginning of the sentence, before both 不但 and 而且. When using two different subjects, however, you need to put one after 不但 and one after 而且.
Structure
So here's the pattern with one subject:
Subject + 不但 + Adj./Verb, 而且 + Adj./Verb
And here's the pattern with two subjects:
不但 + Subject 1 + Adj./Verb, 而且 + Subject 2 + Adj./Verb
Examples
- 不但 我 会 做饭，而且 会 洗衣服。One subject, but in the wrong place)Not only can I cook, but I can also do the laundry.
- 我 不但 会 做饭，而且 会 洗衣服。One subject)Not only can I cook, but I can also do the laundry.
- 我 不但 会 做饭，而且 我妹妹 也会 做饭。Two subjects, first one in the wrong place)Not only can I cook, but my little sister can as well.
- 不但 我 会 做饭，而且 我妹妹 也会 做饭。Two subjects)Not only can I cook, but my little sister can as well.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (pp. 22) →buy
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 253) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 2 (新实用汉语课本2) (pp. 219) →buy
Websites
- Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: Usage of 而
