不但⋯⋯而且⋯⋯ (not only...but also)

• Pinyin: bùdàn...érqiě
• Formation: Subj. + 不但 + Clause 1，而且 + Clause 2
• Hanzi breakdown: 但 = 亻(person) + 旦 (dawn); 且 = pictograph of an offering table, meaning 'moreover'

Meaning

The pattern 不但...而且... expresses 'not only...but also.' It is used to add information that goes beyond what was initially stated, creating a progressive relationship between two clauses.

This is one of the most common progressive conjunctions in Chinese. The subject placement follows a key rule: when both clauses share the same subject, the subject appears before 不但; when the subjects differ, each subject appears after its respective conjunction. 而且 can sometimes be replaced by 还 or 也 in spoken Chinese for a less formal tone. The pattern emphasizes that the second clause adds something more significant or surprising than the first. Unlike simple addition with 和, this pattern implies progression — the second point builds upon or exceeds the first.

Examples

1. 他不但会说中文，而且说得非常流利。 He can not only speak Chinese, but he speaks it very fluently.
2. 这家餐厅不但菜好吃，而且价格也很合理。 This restaurant not only has delicious food, but the prices are also very reasonable.
3. 她不但学习好，而且运动也很厉害。 She is not only good at studying, but also great at sports.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: explanatory

Do Say

• 我们的老师不但教得好，而且对学生很有耐心。
• 这本书不但有趣，而且非常有教育意义。
• 小王不但完成了任务，而且还提前交了报告。

Don't Say

• 他不但会说中文，但是也会说日语。(不但 pairs with 而且, not 但是 — 但是 expresses contrast, not progression) → 他不但会说中文，而且也会说日语。
• 她不但很漂亮，而且不太聪明。(而且 introduces a progressive point — the second clause should build upon the first, not contradict it) → 她不但很漂亮，而且也很聪明。
• 他不但会唱歌，而且英语。(而且 must be followed by a complete clause with a predicate, not just a noun) → 他不但会唱歌，而且还会说英语。

Origin & History

Both 不但 and 而且 have classical Chinese roots. 但 originally meant 'only' or 'merely,' so 不但 literally means 'not merely.' 而且 combines 而 (and/but) with 且 (moreover), forming a natural progressive connector.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal