不但…而且…: not only…but also
不但…而且 (bùdàn…érqiě) means not only but also, adding a second point that goes further than the first. In speech 还 can replace 而且, and 不但 sits after the subject when both clauses share one.
Structure: Subject + 不但 + Clause A + 而且 + Clause B
If both clauses share the same subject, 不但 comes after the subject. If subjects differ, 不但 comes before the first subject.
✅ 他不但会说汉语，而且还会说日语。
✅ 不但他会，我也会。
Contrast: 不但/而且 = additive (adds more). 虽然/但是 = concession (unexpected contrast). 既然/就 = logical conclusion from a known fact.
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 这家餐厅不但菜好吃，而且价钱也很合理。 | Zhè jiā cān tīng bù dàn cài hǎo chī, ér qiě jià qian yě hěn hé lǐ. | This restaurant's food is not only delicious but also very reasonably priced. | Minimal 不但/而且 frame: one subject, two positive properties stacked |
| 他不但是个好学生，而且还是一个热心的志愿者。 | Tā bù dàn shì gè hǎo xué sheng, ér qiě hái shì yī gè rè xīn de zhì yuàn zhě. | He is not only a good student but also an enthusiastic volunteer. | 还 reinforces 而且, adding emphasis to the second clause |
| 这次洪水不但造成了巨大的经济损失，而且让很多家庭失去了家园。 | Zhè cì hóng shuǐ bù dàn zào chéng le jù dà de jīng jì sǔn shī, ér qiě ràng hěn duō jiā tíng shī qù le jiā yuán. | This flood not only caused enormous economic losses but also left many families homeless. | d3-register: longer clauses, different verb phrases, complex result |
Word by word
Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.
不但…而且 (bùdàn…érqiě)
Adds a second point that goes further than the first.
Structure: 不但 + A, 而且 + B
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 这个手机不但便宜，而且很好用。 | Zhè gè shǒu jī bú dàn pián yi, ér qiě hěn hǎo yòng. | This phone is not only cheap but also very easy to use. |
| 她不但会唱歌，而且会跳舞。 | Tā bú dàn huì chàng gē, ér qiě huì tiào wǔ. | She can not only sing but also dance. |
| 不但小孩喜欢这个游戏，而且大人也喜欢。 | Bú dàn xiǎo hái xǐ huan zhè gè yóu xì, ér qiě dà rén yě xǐ huan. | Not only children like this game, adults like it too. |
Not: 他不但会说英语，但是会说法语。 不但 is paired with 而且, not 但是: 他不但会说英语，而且会说法语.
不但…而且 is also explained in: Progressive Compound Sentences: 不但…而且 (HSK 2).
不但…还 (bùdàn…hái)
A spoken version where 还 replaces 而且 and adds a further action.
Structure: subject + 不但 + A, 还 + B
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 他不但自己来了，还带来了朋友。 | Tā bú dàn zì jǐ lái le, hái dài lái le péng you. | He not only came himself but also brought a friend. |
| 这家店不但开到很晚，还送货上门。 | Zhè jiā diàn bú dàn kāi dào hěn wǎn, hái sòng huò shàng mén. | This shop not only stays open late but also delivers. |
| 她不但做饭，还洗衣服。 | Tā bú dàn zuò fàn, hái xǐ yī fu. | She not only cooks but also does the laundry. |
Not: 不但他累了，还他饿了。 还 goes after the subject of the second clause: 不但他累了，他还饿了.
而且 (érqiě)
Adds a further point to what was just said; it also works on its own.
Structure: A, 而且 + B
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 这件衣服很好看，而且不贵。 | Zhè jiàn yī fu hěn hǎo kàn, ér qiě bú guì. | This piece of clothing looks good and is not expensive. |
| 今天很冷，而且下着雨。 | Jīn tiān hěn lěng, ér qiě xià zhe yǔ. | It is cold today, and it is raining too. |
| 他会开车，而且开得很好。 | Tā huì kāi chē, ér qiě kāi de hěn hǎo. | He can drive, and he drives well. |
Not: 他会说汉语，而且英语。 而且 joins clauses or adjectives, not a bare noun. Say 他会说汉语，而且会说英语.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 3, conjunctions (连接分句或句子).
而且 is also explained in: Conjunctions: 或者、不过、但是、而且、如果、虽然、只要 (HSK 2).
What you need first
Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.
What this opens up
These patterns list 不但…而且… among their own prerequisites, so they become readable once this one holds.
Questions about 不但…而且…
What does 不但…而且… mean in Chinese?
不但…而且 (bùdàn…érqiě) means not only but also, adding a second point that goes further than the first. In speech 还 can replace 而且, and 不但 sits after the subject when both clauses share one. It is an HSK 4 grammar point.
How do you use 不但…而且… in a sentence?
这家餐厅不但菜好吃，而且价钱也很合理。 — Zhè jiā cān tīng bù dàn cài hǎo chī, ér qiě jià qian yě hěn hé lǐ. — This restaurant's food is not only delicious but also very reasonably priced. Minimal 不但/而且 frame: one subject, two positive properties stacked.
What do you need to know before 不但…而且…?
Complex Sentences (HSK 3). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.
What does 不但…而且… lead to?
Multi-Clause Compound Sentences (HSK 5), Progressive and Additive Compound Sentences (HSK 6). Each of them names 不但…而且… among its own prerequisites.
Where does 不但 go when the two clauses have different subjects?
Before the first subject: 不但我喜欢，而且我朋友也喜欢. When the subject is the same, it goes after the subject: 他不但会说汉语，而且会写汉字.
不但…而且… is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
Start at your true level