How to say “not only… but also…” in Chinese with 不但 (bùdàn)
不但 (búdàn)……，而且 (érqiě)……
不但 (bù dàn) — not only… but also…
不但 (búdàn)……，而且 (érqiě)……
HSK 3Complex Sentence Patterns不但 (bù dàn) — not only… but also…
Rule structure
不但 (bùdàn)… 而且 (érqiě)… is a correlative conjunction meaning "not only… but also…" emphasizing an added, often stronger point.
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.
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.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “not only… but also…” in Chinese with 不但?
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.
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More HSK 3 grammar rules
如果…就 — if… then…
如果 (rúguǒ)……，就 (jiù)……
如果…的话 — if… then…
如果 (rúguǒ)……的话 (de huà)，……
除了 — except, in addition
除了 (chúle) ⋯⋯ (+ 以外 (yǐwài))，Subj. + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě) / 还 (hái) ⋯⋯
一边 — doing two things at once
一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 1, 一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 2
万 — big numbers
Number + 万 (wàn) / 亿 (yì)
地 — turning adjectives into adverbs
Adj. + 地 (de) + Verb
AA — reduplicating adjectives
AA / AABB
想 — as one likes
想 (xiǎng) + Verb Phrase with Question Word + 就 (jiù) + Same Verb Phrase