Not only… but also: 不但…而且…
Two facts pointing the same way, the second stronger than the first. Where the subject goes decides everything: same subject, it comes before 不但; different subjects, 不但 comes first.
Structure
主语 + 不但 + A，而且 + 还／也 + B（同一主语） ｜ 不但 + 主语1 + A，而且 + 主语2 + 也 + B
Explanation
Chinese words in this text can be activated to show a dictionary gloss.
…… adds a second fact that goes further in the same direction as the first: ， “He can not only speak Chinese, he speaks it well.” The second clause very often carries or as well, which is normal rather than redundant: ，.
The position of the subject is what learners have to get right, and the rule is short. If both halves are about the same person or thing, the subject is stated once, in front of : …，…. If the two halves have different subjects, moves to the very front of the sentence and each clause keeps its own subject: ， “Not only have I been to Xi’an — my sister has too.”
The two facts must pull the same way. …… is not a contrast frame, so ， is incoherent; a contrast needs ……. For the same reason can never replace here.
Both halves are obligatory, as with every paired connective in Chinese. A sentence that opens with and stops — — sounds cut off. In writing, is a slightly more formal alternative to , and a more formal alternative to .
Correct
Say each one out loud before moving on. The audio is a reference pronunciation, not a model to imitate exactly — match the tone contour, not the voice.
他不但会说汉语，而且说得很好。他不但會說漢語，而且說得很好。
Tā (first tone, high and level) búdàn (second tone, rising) huì (fourth tone, falling) shuō (first tone, high and level) Hànyǔ, (fourth tone, falling) érqiě (second tone, rising) shuō (first tone, high and level) de (neutral tone) hěn (third tone, dipping) hǎo. (third tone, dipping)···
He can not only speak Chinese, he speaks it well.
这家店的菜不但好吃，而且很便宜。這家店的菜不但好吃，而且很便宜。
Zhè (fourth tone, falling) jiā (first tone, high and level) diàn (fourth tone, falling) de (neutral tone) cài (fourth tone, falling) búdàn (second tone, rising) hǎochī, (third tone, dipping) érqiě (second tone, rising) hěn (third tone, dipping) piányi. (second tone, rising)···
The food at this place is not only tasty, it’s cheap as well.
不但我去过西安，而且我姐姐也去过。不但我去過西安，而且我姐姐也去過。
Búdàn (second tone, rising) wǒ (third tone, dipping) qùguo (fourth tone, falling) Xī (first tone, high and level) ān, (first tone, high and level) érqiě (second tone, rising) wǒ (third tone, dipping) jiějie (third tone, dipping) yě (third tone, dipping) qùguo. (fourth tone, falling)···
Not only have I been to Xi’an — my older sister has too.
Incorrect — Common mistakes
These sentences are wrong. They are printed here on purpose, each one paired with the repair and the reason, because the error you can recognise is the error you stop making.
Not quite
Incorrect sentence: 他不但会说汉语，但是说得很好。
Correct
Correct sentence: 他不但会说汉语，而且说得很好。
Why: 不但 is answered by 而且, not by 但是. The second clause continues in the same direction; it does not push back.
Not quite
Incorrect sentence: 不但他会说汉语，而且说得很好。
Correct
Correct sentence: 他不但会说汉语，而且说得很好。
Why: Both halves are about the same person, so the subject 他 comes first and 不但 follows it. 不但 only moves to the front when the two clauses have different subjects.
Not quite
Incorrect sentence: 他不但会说汉语。
Correct
Correct sentence: 他不但会说汉语，而且说得很好。
Why: Chinese paired connectives are never used by halves. An opening 不但 promises a second clause, and the listener waits for it.
Compared with
Most errors with this pattern are not errors about this pattern — they are a neighbouring pattern arriving at the wrong moment. Read these side by side.
The two frames look alike and mean opposite things. 不但…而且… piles a second point on top of the first in the same direction: 这个房子不但大，而且便宜 — both facts are good news. 虽然…但是… sets the second point against the first: 这个房子虽然大，但是很贵 — the second fact spoils the first. Learners often write 不但…但是…, which mixes them and leaves the sentence saying neither. Ask yourself whether the second clause reinforces or undercuts: reinforce → 而且; undercut → 但是.
Concession: 虽然…但是… →Mini quiz
Question 1 / 3Total score: 0
Choose the correct sentence.