HSK 3
不但……而且……
bùdàn…… érqiě……
not only… but also…
Structure
Subject + 不但 + [Adjective/Verb], 而且 + [Adjective/Verb]
How it works
This conjunction structure is used to connect two related phrases or clauses, indicating that the second point adds further information to the first. If the subject is the same for both parts, it is placed before '不但'; if the subjects are different, they are placed after '不但' and '而且'.
Examples
这个西瓜不但很大，而且很甜。
Zhège xīguā bùdàn hěn dà, érqiě hěn tián.
This watermelon is not only big, but also sweet.
他不但在中国学习，而且在中国工作。
Tā bùdàn zài Zhōngguó xuéxí, érqiě zài Zhōngguó gōngzuò.
He not only studies in China, but also works in China.
我不但喜欢跳舞，而且喜欢唱歌。
Wǒ bùdàn xǐhuān tiàowǔ, érqiě xǐhuān chànggē.
I not only like dancing, but also like singing.
Common mistakes
Forgetting that if the two clauses have different subjects, '不但' must come before the first subject (e.g., '不但我会说, 而且我弟弟也会说').
Tip
In casual conversation, '而且' (érqiě) can sometimes be replaced by '也' (yě) or '还' (hái) in the second part of the sentence.
More HSK 3 grammar
See 不但……而且…… in real Chinese
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