Expressing "not only... but also" with "budan... erqie..."

"不但⋯⋯，而且⋯⋯" (bùdàn..., érqiě...) is a very commonly used pattern that indicates "not only, ... but also...."

Structure

Subject + 不但 + Adj./Verb, 而且 + Adj./Verb

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。He not only finished all the works, but he also did them well.
• 这种菜不但好吃，而且有营养。This kind of vegetable is not delicious but nutritious.
• 她 不但 会 说 汉语，而且 会 说 日语。She can not only speak Mandarin, but she can also speak Japanese.
• 这个学生不但会说中文，而且中文说得很好。She can not only speak Mandarin, but she is good at it.
• 他 不但 能 修 汽车，还 能 修 自行车。He can not only fix cars, but he 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.

Different emphasis with 不但⋯⋯而且⋯⋯

When there is only one subject with 不但⋯⋯而且⋯⋯,the subject has to come before 不但 and 而且 to stress the adj.or verb。Put two different subjects separately after 不但 and 而且 to stress them both。

Structure

Subject + 不但 + Adj./Verb, 而且 + Adj./Verb

不但 + subject1 + Adj./Verb, 而且 + subject2 + Adj./Verb

Examples

• 我不但 会 做饭，而且 会 洗衣服。I can not only cook, but she can also do some washing.

• 不但 我 会 做饭，而且 我妹妹 也会 做饭。Not only I can cook.But also my little sister can.

See also

• Many types of "not only… but also…"
• "Not only… but also" with "bujin"
• "In addition" as "lingwai"

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