不但...而且 (búdàn...érqiě) — Not Only...But Also
Adding information with progressive emphasis
Category: Grammar
The Rule
不但 (búdàn, not only) + A, 而且 (érqiě, but also) + B. The second clause (B) usually represents something more significant or unexpected than A. Same subject: 不但 after subject. Different subjects: 不但 before each subject.
Why This Matters
This is structurally similar to English 'not only...but also', making it one of the easier Chinese conjunctions for English speakers. The key nuance is that 而且 should introduce something MORE impressive, important, or surprising — there's an escalation. It's not just listing two equal facts; B trumps A.
Examples
• 她不但漂亮，而且聪明。(Tā búdàn piàoliang, érqiě cōngming.) — "She is not only beautiful, but also smart." [Same subject: 不但 after 她, escalating from beauty to intelligence] • 他不但会说中文，而且会写汉字。(Tā búdàn huì shuō zhōngwén, érqiě huì xiě hànzì.) — "He can not only speak Chinese, but also write characters." [Writing is harder than speaking — nice escalation] • 不但我去，而且他也去。(Búdàn wǒ qù, érqiě tā yě qù.) — "Not only am I going, but he's also going." [Different subjects: 不但 before first subject]
Common Mistakes
❌ 她不但聪明，而且漂亮。(weaker item second) ✅ 她不但漂亮，而且聪明。(stronger/more impressive item second) → 而且 should escalate. Intelligence is typically seen as more impressive than appearance in Chinese culture, so it comes second. ❌ Placing 不但 before the subject when same subject: 不但她漂亮，而且聪明 ✅ 她不但漂亮，而且聪明。(same subject → 不但 after subject) → When both clauses share the same subject, place 不但 AFTER the subject. When subjects differ, place 不但 BEFORE the first subject.
Quick Tip
Think of 而且 as 'and what's MORE...' — always escalate from A to B.
Think of 而且 as 'and what's MORE...' — always escalate from A to B.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: 她不但聪明，而且漂亮。(weaker item second) → Correct: 她不但漂亮，而且聪明。(stronger/more impressive item second). 而且 should escalate. Intelligence is typically seen as more impressive than appearance in Chinese culture, so it comes second.
Incorrect: Placing 不但 before the subject when same subject: 不但她漂亮，而且聪明 → Correct: 她不但漂亮，而且聪明。(same subject → 不但 after subject). When both clauses share the same subject, place 不但 AFTER the subject. When subjects differ, place 不但 BEFORE the first subject.
Quiz
In 不但A而且B, what should be true about B?