不但⋯⋯而且⋯⋯ (not only...but also)

• 拼音: bùdàn...érqiě
• 结构: Subj. + 不但 + Clause 1，而且 + Clause 2
• 汉字拆解: 但 = 亻(person) + 旦 (dawn); 且 = pictograph of an offering table, meaning 'moreover'

含义

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.

例句

1. 他不但会说中文，而且说得非常流利。
2. 这家餐厅不但菜好吃，而且价格也很合理。
3. 她不但学习好，而且运动也很厉害。

用法指南

语境: spoken, written, everyday

语气: explanatory

正确说法

• 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。

错误说法

• 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。

起源与历史

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.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal