Not only… but also – 不但 búdàn…而且 érqiě

Grammar Point:
不但 búdàn……而且 érqiě…… means “not only… but also…”. It is used to connect two related ideas, with the second idea usually adding more information or emphasis.

Structure

S + 不但 búdàn + V / Adj / Phrase + 而且 érqiě + V / Adj / Phrase

The second part 而且 érqiě usually introduces additional or stronger information, making the sentence more persuasive or descriptive.

中文zhōngwén不但búdàn簡單jiǎndān， 而且érqiě還hái非常fēicháng容易róngyì學xué中文zhōngwén不但búdàn简单jiǎndān， 而且érqiě还hái非常fēicháng容易róngyì学xué
Chinese is not only simple, but also very easy to learn.

你nǐ不但búdàn不bù承認chéngrèn錯誤cuòwù， 而且érqiě還hái說謊shuōhuǎng你nǐ不但búdàn不bù承认chéngrèn错误cuòwù， 而且érqiě还hái说谎shuōhuǎng
You not only don’t admit mistakes but also lie.

農曆nónglì七月qīyuè不但bùdàn不能bùnéng放fàng煙火yānhuǒ而且érqiě也yě不能bùnéng游泳yóuyǒng农历nónglì七月qīyuè不但bùdàn不能bùnéng放fàng烟火yānhuǒ而且érqiě也yě不能bùnéng游泳yóuyǒng
During the lunar seventh month, not only fireworks are not allowed but also swimming.

這zhè部bù電影diànyǐng不但búdàn很hěn好笑hǎoxiào，而且érqiě很hěn感人gǎnrén这zhè部bù电影diànyǐng不但búdàn很hěn好笑hǎoxiào，而且érqiě很hěn感人gǎnrén
This movie is not only funny, but also touching.

我wǒ哥哥gēge不但búdàn會huì做飯zuòfàn，而且érqiě很hěn會huì照顧zhàogù小孩xiǎohái我wǒ哥哥gēge不但búdàn会huì做饭zuòfàn，而且érqiě很hěn会huì照顾zhàogù小孩xiǎohái
My brother not only knows how to cook, but also takes good care of children.

台灣Táiwān不但búdàn有yǒu美食měishí，而且érqiě有yǒu很hěn多duō漂亮piàoliàng的de風景fēngjǐng台湾Táiwān不但búdàn有yǒu美食měishí，而且érqiě有yǒu很hěn多duō漂亮piàoliang的de风景fēngjǐng
Taiwan not only has delicious food, but also many beautiful scenic spots.

Other Common Patterns

不但 búdàn can be replaced by several other expressions that also mean “not only”, including 不只 bùzhǐ, 不單单 bùdān, and 不僅仅 bùjǐnjǐn. These expressions are generally interchangeable, but they differ slightly in formality:

不只 bùzhǐ – Most conversational and common in everyday speech

我的wǒde狗gǒu不只bùzhǐ很hěn愛ài吃chī， 而且érqiě還hái很hěn愛ài睡覺shuìjiào我的wǒde狗gǒu不只bùzhǐ很hěn爱ài吃chī， 而且érqiě还hái很hěn爱ài睡觉shuìjiào
My dog not only loves to eat but also loves to sleep.

不但 búdàn – neutral; common in both spoken and written Chinese

他tā不但búdàn會huì說shuō中文zhōngwén，而且érqiě會huì說shuō日文rìwén他tā不但búdàn会huì说shuō中文zhōngwén，而且érqiě会huì说shuō日文rìwén
He not only speaks Chinese, but also speaks Japanese.

不單单 bùdān – Slightly more formal, common in

如果rúguǒ選xuǎn錯cuò老師lǎoshī， 你nǐ不單bùdān會huì浪費làngfèi錢qián， 而且érqiě也yě浪費làngfèi時間shíjiān如果rúguǒ选xuǎn错cuò老师lǎoshī， 你nǐ不单bùdān会huì浪费làngfèi钱qián， 而且érqiě也yě浪费làngfèi时间shíjiān
If you choose the wrong teacher, you will not only waste money but also waste time.

不僅仅 bùjǐn – The most formal; often used in writing, news reports, and speeches

這zhè項xiàng政策zhèngcè不僅bùjǐn改善gǎishàn了le交通jiāotōng，而且érqiě還hái提高tígāo了le安全ānquán这zhè项xiàng政策zhèngcè不仅bùjǐn改善gǎishàn了le交通jiāotōng，而且érqiě还hái提高tígāo了le安全ānquán
This policy not only improved transportation, but also increased safety.