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不但……,而且……

not only A, but also B

Structure
主语 + 不但 A ,而且 B · 不但 主语1 + A ,而且 主语2 + 也 B

What it means

“Not only A, but also B”: adds a second point on top of the first, pointing the same way (both good or both bad).

How it is built

Subject + 不但 + A,而且 + B: 这家饭馆不但便宜,而且好吃 (This restaurant is not only cheap, it’s good too). Two subjects: 不但我喜欢,而且我妈妈也喜欢.

When to use it

而且 often takes 也 or 还, and it can work alone: 很便宜,而且很好看. With two different subjects, 不但 goes before the first one.

Watch out

With one subject, the subject comes first. ✗ 不但这家饭馆便宜,而且好吃。 ✓ 这家饭馆不但便宜,而且好吃。 Never one good point and one bad.

Examples

这家饭馆不但便宜,而且好吃。
This restaurant is not only cheap, it’s good too.
这个手机不但很轻,而且颜色也很好看。
This phone isn’t just light; the colour looks great too.
不但我喜欢这个手机,而且我妈妈也喜欢。
It’s not only me who likes this phone: my mum likes it too.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 19: 网上买手机 (Shopping online)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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Also in this lesson

← 不过A 跟 B 一样 →