不光

• Pinyin: bù guāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 不 = negation; 光 = 火 (fire) on top of 儿 (legs), original meaning light/brightness, extended to 'only, merely'

Meaning

Not only; not just. A colloquial conjunction meaning the same as 不仅, used to introduce additional information.

A slightly informal alternative to 不仅 or 不但. Typically paired with 还 or 也 in the second clause. Common in spoken Chinese to express that something goes beyond what was initially stated.

Examples

1. 不光是我，大家都觉得这个主意不错。 It's not just me, everyone thinks this idea is good.
2. 他不光会说中文，还会说日语和韩语。 He can not only speak Chinese, but also Japanese and Korean.
3. 不光要学习知识，还要学会怎么做人。 You should not only learn knowledge, but also learn how to be a good person.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, everyday

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 不光你一个人这样想。(You're not the only one who thinks this way.)
• 这家店不光东西好，服务也不错。(This shop not only has good products, but also good service.)

Don't Say

• 不光下雨了 without a second clause (不光 must be followed by a second clause with 还/也/而且 — it cannot be used alone without stating what else is true)

Origin & History

Compound of 不 (not) and 光 (only, merely), literally 'not only/merely.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal