Adding: 不但…而且, 既…又, 又…又, 一边…一边
Not only… but also (不但…而且/还, 不仅…也), both (既…又, 又…又), and doing two things at once (一边…一边).
Part of the free B1 Chinese course (about HSK 4). Examples are in Simplified characters, with pinyin only for some new or hard words; press the speaker to hear one with your device's Chinese voice.
不但 A，而且/还/也 B: not only… but also
不但 (búdàn) opens the first half; the second half has 而且 (érqiě), 还 or 也, or 而且 together with 还/也.
- 他不但会说中文，而且说得很好。Not only can he speak Chinese, he speaks it well.
- 这家饭馆不但便宜，还很好吃。This restaurant is not only cheap but also very good.
Where does 不但 go?
- Same subject in both halves: subject first, then 不但 (他不但…，而且…).
- Two different subjects: 不但 goes before the first subject.
- 不但我喜欢这首歌，而且我妈妈也喜欢。Not only do I like this song, my mum likes it too.
不仅 (bùjǐn) means the same as 不但 and is a little more written.
- 这个问题不仅影响学生，也影响老师。(yǐngxiǎng)This problem affects not only students but teachers too.
既 A 又 B and 又 A 又 B: both
Both join two adjectives or verbs about the same subject. 又…又 is everyday; 既…又 is a little more formal. The two qualities usually point the same way (both good or both bad).
- 她既聪明又努力。She's both clever and hard-working.
- 这个苹果又大又甜。This apple is big and sweet.
一边 A 一边 B: at the same time
一边 (yìbiān) joins two actions happening at once. In quick speech it shortens to 边…边.
- 他一边吃饭一边看电视。He watches TV while he eats.
| Pattern | Joins | English |
|---|---|---|
| 不但…而且 | clauses | not only… but also |
| 既…又, 又…又 | adjectives, verbs | both… and |
| 一边…一边 | actions | while, at the same time |
一边 is for things you do. For qualities (tall, handsome) use 又…又.
Common mistakes
不但他会说中文，而且会说日语。→ 他不但会说中文，而且会说日语。With one subject, it comes before 不但.我不但喜欢，而且我朋友也喜欢。→ 不但我喜欢，而且我朋友也喜欢。With two subjects, 不但 goes before the first one. (The other order is heard in casual speech, but textbooks and exams treat it as wrong.)他一边高一边帅。→ 他又高又帅。一边 is for actions.这个苹果又大和甜。→ 这个苹果又大又甜。Repeat 又; don't use 和.这件衣服不但便宜，但是很好看。→ 不但…而且. 但是 marks a contrast, not an addition.
Practice
- 这件衣服不但便宜，_____很好看。Options: 而且 · 但是 · 所以
Show the answer
而且 — 不但 … 而且 adds; 但是 would contrast.
- Which is correct for 'Not only do I like it, my brother likes it too'?Options: 不但我喜欢，而且我哥哥也喜欢。 · 我不但喜欢，而且我哥哥也喜欢。 · 不但我喜欢，但是我哥哥也喜欢。
Show the answer
不但我喜欢，而且我哥哥也喜欢。 — With two different subjects, 不但 goes before the first one.
- 她_____聪明又漂亮。
Show the answer
既 — 既 … 又 or 又 … 又.
- 他_____走路___打电话。Options: 一边…一边 · 越…越 · 不但…才
Show the answer
一边…一边 — Two actions at the same time: 一边 … 一边.