不仅…而且…
HSK 4- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 不仅…而且… is used to connect two clauses, meaning 'not only… but also…', emphasizing a progressive or additive relationship.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Used to express the meaning "not only… but also…", where the second clause (而且) typically carries a sense of progression, emphasizing more than the first clause (不仅).
- When both clauses share the same subject,
不仅is placed after the subject:他不仅会说英语，而且会说法语。(He not only speaks English but also speaks French.) - When the two clauses have different subjects,
不仅is placed before the first subject:不仅我会做饭，而且我弟弟也会。(Not only can I cook, but my younger brother can too.)
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他不仅帅，而且很聪明。繁: 他不僅帥，而且很聰明。Tā bùjǐn shuài, érqiě hěn cōngmíng.
He is not only handsome but also very intelligent.
- 她不仅会唱歌，而且会跳舞。繁: 她不僅會唱歌，而且會跳舞。Tā bùjǐn huì chànggē, érqiě huì tiàowǔ.
She not only knows how to sing, but also knows how to dance.
- 这家饭馆不仅菜好吃，而且服务也好。繁: 這家飯館不僅菜好吃，而且服務也好。Zhè jiā fànguǎn bùjǐn cài hǎochī, érqiě fúwù yě hǎo.
This restaurant not only has delicious food but also provides excellent service.
- 不仅我会说中文，而且我妹妹也会。繁: 不僅我會說中文，而且我妹妹也會。Bùjǐn wǒ huì shuō Zhōngwén, érqiě wǒ mèimei yě huì.
Not only can I speak Chinese, but my younger sister can as well.
- 坐地铁不仅快，而且还很便宜。繁: 坐地鐵不僅快，而且還很便宜。Zuò dìtiě bùjǐn kuài, érqiě hái hěn piányi.
Taking the subway is not only fast but also very cheap.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:不仅他学习好，而且喜欢帮助同学。Correct:他不仅学习好，而且喜欢帮助同学。
When both clauses of a sentence share the same subject (他), 不仅 must come after the subject.
- Wrong:他不仅是我的老师，是我的朋友。Correct:他不仅是我的老师，而且是我的朋友。
The conjunction 而且 is needed to connect two clauses, showing a progressive or supplementary relationship. The 而且 cannot be omitted.