HSK 3
不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě) in Chinese
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.
STRUCTURE
Subject + 不仅/不光 + A, 而且/还 + B
When to use 不仅/不光…还/而且… — and when not
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。
Don't 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.
Right vs. wrong
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.
Examples
这个菜不仅好看，而且好吃。
Zhège cài bùjǐn hǎokàn, érqiě hǎochī.
This dish is not only attractive but also delicious.
他不光会说中文，还会写汉字。
Tā bùguāng huì shuō Zhōngwén, hái huì xiě Hànzì.
He can not only speak Chinese but also write Chinese characters.
不仅哥哥喜欢足球，弟弟也喜欢。
Bùjǐn gēge xǐhuan zúqiú, dìdi yě xǐhuan.
Not only the older brother but also the younger brother likes soccer.
Common mistakes
他会不仅说中文，而且会写汉字。
Tā huì bùjǐn shuō Zhōngwén, érqiě huì xiě Hànzì.
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。
Zhè jiā diàn bùjǐn érqiě cài hěn hǎo, fúwù yě kuài.
Use 不仅 with the first fact and 而且 with the second: 不仅菜很好，而且服务也快。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 不仅/不光…还/而且… sentence and check that grammar point first.
不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě) FAQ
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.