HSK 3

不仅/不光⋯⋯,还/而且⋯⋯

bù jǐn / bù guāng ⋯ ⋯ , hái / ér qiě ⋯ ⋯

Not only... but also...

Explanation

The structure 不仅/不光⋯⋯,还/而且⋯⋯ is a progressive sentence type: the second clause adds more and is usually stronger/greater than the first, translated as "not only..., but also...".

Structure

不仅/不光 (bùjǐn/bùguāng, not only) + clause 1 ,还/而且 (hái/érqiě, but also) + clause 2.

When to use

when you want to add one more point to emphasize, beyond what has been said. 不仅 and 不光 mean the same (not only); 还 and 而且 mean the same (but also) and can be interchanged.

Note

if the subjects of the two clauses are the SAME, 不仅/不光 comes AFTER the subject (我不仅...); if the subjects of the two clauses are DIFFERENT, 不仅/不光 comes BEFORE the subject (不光我..., 而且我姐姐...).

Common mistakes

using only the first clause 不仅 and forgetting the second clause 还/而且; placing 不仅 in the wrong position relative to the subject depending on whether the two clauses share the same subject or not.

Examples

那个地方我不仅去过,还去过好几次呢。
gefangjǐnguòháiguòhǎone

That place I have not only been to, but have been to several times.

不光我会说中文,而且我姐姐也会说中文。
guānghuìshuōzhōngwénérqiějiějiehuìshuōzhōngwén

Not only can I speak Chinese, but my older sister can also speak Chinese.

Practice

Test your understanding with a quick quiz

Learn “不仅/不光⋯⋯,还/而且⋯⋯” effectively

The grammar point “不仅/不光⋯⋯,还/而且⋯⋯” (Not only... but also...) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.

Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.

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