A 不说，还 B
not only A, but B as well (colloquial)
Structure
情况 A 不说 ， （主语） 还 更进一步的 B
What it means
Not only A, but B as well. A is a point taken as granted (“never mind A”), and B goes one step further in the same direction, good or bad.
How it is built
A + 不说，(subject) + 还 + B: 这家小店便宜不说，老板还特别热情 (this little shop is cheap, and what is more the owner is really friendly). If B has its own subject, it goes before 还.
When to use it
Spoken. Its neutral, more formal counterpart is 不但 A，而且 B.
Watch out
不说 comes after the whole of A, never before it: ✗不说便宜 ✓便宜不说. A and B point the same way: both good or both bad.
Examples
菜新鲜不说，还能挑、能问，跟街坊聊几句家常。
The food is fresh, and on top of that you can pick it over, ask questions and have a chat with the neighbours.
这家小店便宜不说，老板还特别热情。
This little shop is cheap, and what is more the owner is really friendly.
他迟到了半个小时不说，还忘了带材料。
Not only was he half an hour late, he forgot to bring the papers too.
Learn this in Lesson 135 · HSK 7–9: 菜市场里 (At the wet market)
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.
Open the lesson →