Tomyo

How to say “not only… but also…” in Chinese with 不但 (bùdàn)

不但 (búdàn)……，而且 (érqiě)……

Expressing "not only… but also" with "不但 (bùdàn) … 而且 (érqiě) …"

HSK 3Complex Sentence Patterns

Rule structure

不但 (bùdàn)… 而且 (érqiě)… is a correlative conjunction meaning "not only… but also…" emphasizing an added, often stronger point.

Examples

他不但聪明，而且很努力。

Tā bùdàn cōngmíng, érqiě hěn nǔlì.

He is not only smart, but also very hardworking.

Practice

Build the sentence

Drag the characters to put them in the correct order

Characters

Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing "not only… but also" with "不但 (bùdàn) … 而且 (érqiě) …"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 不但 (búdàn)……，而且 (érqiě)……. For example: 他不但聪明，而且很努力。 — “He is not only smart, but also very hardworking.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

他不但聪明，而且很努力。 — “He is not only smart, but also very hardworking.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.

Tomyo

Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews

Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.

Download the app

More HSK 3 grammar rules

Expressing "if… then…" with "如果 (rúguǒ) … 就 (jiù) …"

如果 (rúguǒ)……，就 (jiù)……

Expressing "if" with "如果 (rúguǒ) … 的话 (de huà)"

如果 (rúguǒ)……的话 (de huà)，……

Expressing "except" and "in addition" with "除了 (chúle) … 以外 (yǐwài)"

除了 (chúle) ⋯⋯ (+ 以外 (yǐwài))，Subj. + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě) / 还 (hái) ⋯⋯

Simultaneous tasks with "一边 (yìbiān)"

一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 1, 一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 2

Big numbers in Chinese

Number + 万 (wàn) / 亿 (yì)

Turning adjectives into adverbs

Adj. + 地 (de) + Verb

Reduplication of adjectives

AA / AABB

Expressing "as one likes" with "就 (jiù)"

想 (xiǎng) + Verb Phrase with Question Word + 就 (jiù) + Same Verb Phrase