不是...还...: More Is Needed in Chinese
不是…还/还是…
不是...还/还是... rejects the idea that one action or condition is sufficient and adds what remains necessary or advisable. The first clause commonly contains 就可以, 就够了, or a similar sufficiency claim. The second clause uses 还 or 还是 to introduce the additional step, requirement, or recommendation.
Published July 21, 2026
Reviewed July 21, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
不是 + X alone 就够了, 还需要 + step Y
Read the structure
不是...还/还是... rejects the idea that one action or condition is sufficient and adds what remains necessary or advisable. The first clause commonly contains 就可以, 就够了, or a similar sufficiency claim. The second clause uses 还 or 还是 to introduce the additional step, requirement, or recommendation. Keep the model 不是 + X alone 就够了, 还需要 + step Y visible while you compare each sentence.
不是读完了就可以了，还要写总结。
Finishing the reading is not enough; you also need to write a summary.
Choose the right context
Reject a limited standard: 不是读完了就可以了，还要写总结。 Add a requirement after saying the first action alone is insufficient. Use 还是 to recommend consulting or considering an additional source.
这事不是你想做就能做的，还是要听听大家的意见。
This is not something you can simply do; you should still hear everyone's views.
Respect the boundary
Use 不是...而是... when correcting X and replacing it with Y. Do not leave the added requirement after 还 or 还是 incomplete. Do not use the pattern when the first action actually is sufficient.
不是读完了就可以了，还要。
(Finishing is not enough; also need to.)
Repair the pattern
The additional requirement is missing: 还要 must be followed by the additional action required. The sufficiency clause is split: 就可以了 follows the completed first action and cannot surround it.
不是读完了就可以了，还要写总结。
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.
不是读完了就可以了，还要写总结。
Finishing the reading is not enough; you also need to write a summary.
不是
不是
This part occupies the 不是 position in the model pattern.
读
X alone 就够了, 还需要
This part occupies the X alone 就够了, 还需要 position in the model pattern.
完了
step Y
This part occupies the step Y position in the model pattern.
就
不是
This part occupies the 不是 position in the model pattern.
可以
X alone 就够了, 还需要
This part occupies the X alone 就够了, 还需要 position in the model pattern.
了
step Y
This part occupies the step Y position in the model pattern.
，
不是
This part occupies the 不是 position in the model pattern.
还
X alone 就够了, 还需要
This part occupies the X alone 就够了, 还需要 position in the model pattern.
要写
step Y
This part occupies the step Y position in the model pattern.
总结
不是
This part occupies the 不是 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.
不是读完了就可以了，还要写总结。
Finishing the reading is not enough; you also need to write a summary.
这事不是你想做就能做的，还是要听听大家的意见。
This is not something you can simply do; you should still hear everyone's views.
学语法不是记住规则就够了，还要多练习。
Memorizing rules is not enough for grammar; you also need practice.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Reject a limited standard: 不是读完了就可以了，还要写总结。
- Add a requirement after saying the first action alone is insufficient.
- Use 还是 to recommend consulting or considering an additional source.
Do not use it when
- Use 不是...而是... when correcting X and replacing it with Y.
- Do not leave the added requirement after 还 or 还是 incomplete.
- Do not use the pattern when the first action actually is sufficient.
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.
不是读完了就可以了，还要。
不是读完了就可以了，还要写总结。
The additional requirement is missing
还要 must be followed by the additional action required.
不是就读完了可以了，还要复习。
不是读完了就可以了，还要复习。
The sufficiency clause is split
就可以了 follows the completed first action and cannot surround it.
不是读完了就可以了，还要。
Complete the additional requirement after 还要.
不是就读完了可以了，还要复习。
Keep the order 读完了就可以了.
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 不是…还/还是….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 不是…还/还是…. 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
不是...还...: More Is Needed Questions
How is this different from 不是...而是...?
不是...而是... replaces one claim with another. This pattern says the first action alone is insufficient and adds another requirement.
What commonly appears in the first clause?
Expressions of sufficiency such as 就可以了, 就够了, or 就能 often frame the limited idea being rejected.
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 不是…还/还是…
Supports the learner-facing account of where 不是…还/还是… 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 不是…还/还是…
Cross-checks the 不是 + X alone 就够了, 还需要 + step Y 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 6 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 6; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
不是…而是…不是...而是... (búshì...érshì)
Separate adding a requirement from replacing one claim with another.
Compare
不仅/不光…还/而且…不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě)
Compare an insufficient first step with two reinforcing positive points.
Compare
不但不/不但没有…反而…不但不...反而... (bùdàn...fǎn'ér)
Distinguish an added requirement from a reversal after negation.
Continue learning
递进复句Progressive Sentence Groups
Continue from a required extra action to the broader progressive sentence-group relation.
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Easy to confuse
Separate adding a requirement from replacing one claim with another.