不仅…还
HSK 4- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 不仅…还 is used to express progressive addition, meaning 'not only... but also...'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
不仅…还 is a pair of conjunctions used to connect two clauses, expressing a progressive or additive meaning. The second clause typically carries a deeper or more important meaning than the first. It is equivalent to "not only… but also…" in English.
When both clauses share the same subject, the subject is placed before 不仅. When the two clauses have different subjects, the first subject is placed after 不仅, and the second subject is placed before 还.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 他不仅会说英语，还会说法语。繁: 他不僅會說英語，還會說法語。Tā bùjǐn huì shuō Yīngyǔ, hái huì shuō Fǎyǔ.
He not only knows how to speak English but also knows how to speak French.
- 这件衣服不仅好看，还很便宜。繁: 這件衣服不僅好看，還很便宜。Zhè jiàn yīfu bùjǐn hǎokàn, hái hěn piányi.
This piece of clothing is not only beautiful but also very cheap.
- 不仅我喜欢他，我妹妹还喜欢他。繁: 不僅我喜歡他，我妹妹還喜歡他。Bùjǐn wǒ xǐhuān tā, wǒ mèimei hái xǐhuān tā.
Not only do I like him, but my younger sister also likes him.
- 他不仅学习好，还常常帮助同学。繁: 他不僅學習好，還常常幫助同學。Tā bùjǐn xuéxí hǎo, hái chángcháng bāngzhù tóngxué.
He not only studies well but also frequently helps his classmates.
- 这家饭馆不仅菜好吃，服务还好。繁: 這家飯館不僅菜好吃，服務還好。Zhè jiā fànguǎn bùjǐn cài hǎochī, fúwù hái hǎo.
This restaurant not only has delicious food but also provides excellent service.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:不仅他会说英语，还会说法语。Correct:他不仅会说英语，还会说法语。
When both clauses of a sentence share the same subject (here `他`), the subject must appear at the beginning of the sentence, before `不仅`.
- Wrong:我不仅喜欢这首歌，我的朋友还喜欢。Correct:不仅我喜欢这首歌，我的朋友还喜欢。
When the two clauses have different subjects, the first subject (`我`) must come immediately after `不仅`.