不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě) in Chinese
不仅/不光…还/而且…
不仅 or 不光 introduces one fact, and 还 or 而且 adds a second, usually stronger or additional fact. With one shared subject, place the subject before 不仅. With different subjects, 不仅 normally precedes the first subject and 而且 precedes the second. The partner marker may be omitted when the additive relation remains clear.
Published July 17, 2026
Reviewed July 17, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Subject + 不仅/不光 + A, 而且/还 + B
Read the structure
不仅 or 不光 introduces one fact, and 还 or 而且 adds a second, usually stronger or additional fact. With one shared subject, place the subject before 不仅. With different subjects, 不仅 normally precedes the first subject and 而且 precedes the second. The partner marker may be omitted when the additive relation remains clear. Keep the model Subject + 不仅/不光 + A, 而且/还 + B visible while you compare each sentence.
这个菜不仅好看，而且好吃。
This dish is not only attractive but also delicious.
Choose the right context
To add a second quality of one subject: 这个菜不仅好看，而且好吃。 To connect actions by one subject: 他不光会说中文，还会写汉字。 With two subjects when the markers introduce parallel clauses: 不仅哥哥喜欢足球，弟弟也喜欢。
他不光会说中文，还会写汉字。
He can not only speak Chinese but also write Chinese characters.
Respect the boundary
For a simple neutral list where no additive emphasis is intended; 和 or a plain sequence may be enough. Do not stack 不仅 and 而且 together before the first clause. Do not assume that omitting 而且 or 还 is always wrong; context can make the additive relation clear.
他会不仅说中文，而且会写汉字。
(He can not only speak Chinese but also write Chinese characters.)
Repair the pattern
不仅 is placed after the modal that belongs to the first predicate: 不仅 introduces the whole first predicate 会说中文, so it belongs before the modal 会 rather than between 会 and 说. Both correlatives are stacked before the first item: 不仅 introduces the first added fact, while 而且 introduces the second. They cannot be stacked before the first clause.
他不仅会说中文，而且会写汉字。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
这个菜不仅好看，而且好吃。
This dish is not only attractive but also delicious.
这个
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
菜
不仅/不光
This part occupies the 不仅/不光 position in the model pattern.
不仅
A, 而且/还
This part occupies the A, 而且/还 position in the model pattern.
好看
B
This part occupies the B position in the model pattern.
，
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
而且
不仅/不光
This part occupies the 不仅/不光 position in the model pattern.
好吃
A, 而且/还
This part occupies the A, 而且/还 position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
这个菜不仅好看，而且好吃。
This dish is not only attractive but also delicious.
他不光会说中文，还会写汉字。
He can not only speak Chinese but also write Chinese characters.
不仅哥哥喜欢足球，弟弟也喜欢。
Not only the older brother but also the younger brother likes soccer.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- To add a second quality of one subject: 这个菜不仅好看，而且好吃。
- To connect actions by one subject: 他不光会说中文，还会写汉字。
- With two subjects when the markers introduce parallel clauses: 不仅哥哥喜欢足球，弟弟也喜欢。
Do not use it when
- For a simple neutral list where no additive emphasis is intended; 和 or a plain sequence may be enough.
- Do not stack 不仅 and 而且 together before the first clause.
- Do not assume that omitting 而且 or 还 is always wrong; context can make the additive relation clear.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
他会不仅说中文，而且会写汉字。
他不仅会说中文，而且会写汉字。
不仅 is placed after the modal that belongs to the first predicate
不仅 introduces the whole first predicate 会说中文, so it belongs before the modal 会 rather than between 会 and 说.
这家店不仅而且菜很好，服务也快。
这家店不仅菜很好，而且服务也快。
Both correlatives are stacked before the first item
不仅 introduces the first added fact, while 而且 introduces the second. They cannot be stacked before the first clause.
他会不仅说中文，而且会写汉字。
Move 不仅 before the modal: 他不仅会说中文，而且会写汉字。
这家店不仅而且菜很好，服务也快。
Use 不仅 with the first fact and 而且 with the second: 不仅菜很好，而且服务也快。
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 不仅/不光…还/而且….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 不仅/不光…还/而且…. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě) Questions
Where does the subject go with 不仅...而且...?
With one shared subject, put it before 不仅: 他不仅会说，还会写. With different subjects, 不仅 can introduce the first subject and 而且 the second: 不仅他会说，而且她也会写.
Must 不仅 always be paired with 而且?
No. 还, 也, and other additive wording can introduce the second fact, and the second marker may sometimes be omitted. The sentence still needs a clear additive relationship.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 不仅/不光…还/而且…
Supports the learner-facing account of where 不仅/不光…还/而且… appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 不仅/不光…还/而且…
Cross-checks the Subject + 不仅/不光 + A, 而且/还 + B pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 3 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 3; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
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Develop two coordinated points without making them simple additions.
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