Correct
不但 vs 不只
/ bùdàn vs bùzhǐ /
Strokes
Formula
1
不但……而且（还, 也, 并且）
2
就是.......也
3
连.......也（都）
4
不只……还……
Definition
不但 and 不只 both are Conjunction, which means [not only].
Example
不但 and 不只 both words are often used the subordinate clause of a complex sentence.
1) In the main clause, there is 而且, 还, 也 or 并且, etc. to correspond to mean "furthermore". Either a positive or a negative structure can follow 不但.
2) 不只 can also be used instead in examples ① and ②, 不但 is more colloquial.
2) 不只 can also be used instead in examples ① and ②, 不但 is more colloquial.
不但……而且（还, 也, 并且）
1
Wǒmen
我们
liǎ
俩
bùdàn
不但
rènshi
认识
,
érqiě
而且
hěn
很
rè
热
。
We are not only acquaintances, but also familiar with each other.
2
Nǐmen
你们
zhèyàng
这样
chǎo
吵
xiàqù
下去
,
bùdàn
不但
jiějué
解决
bù
不
le
了
wèntí
问题
,
hái
还
huì
会
bǎ
把
shìqing
事情
nào
闹
jiāng
僵
。
Nothing would be achieved if you argue away this way. Moreover,you just woren it.
In the main clause, 就是.......也，连.......也（都）, etc. can also be used to show the extremity of the case.
就是.......也
连.......也（都）
3
Chuán
船
shǐrù
驶入
dàhǎi
大海
,
bùdàn
不但
(
bùzhǐ
不只
)
kàn
看
bu
不
jiàn
见
lùdì
陆地
,
lián
连
fēiniǎo
飞鸟
dōu
都
kànbùdào
看不到
le
了
。
When we sailed into the sea,the land was out of sight, so was a bird.
4
Zhèzhǒng
这种
qíngkuàng
情况
bùdàn
不但
(
bùzhǐ
不只
)
zài
在
zhōngguó
中国
shǎoyǒu
少有
,
jiùshì
就是
zài
在
wàiguó
外国
yě
也
shì
是
hǎnjiàn
罕见
de
的
。
This situation is not only rare in China, but also rare in other countries.
Sometimes, the predicate of the subordinate clause is in the negative, and there is 反而, 反倒, 还, etc. in the main clause to show that, instead of inducing due reaction, the condition brings about a contrary one.
In such cases, 不但 is often used. To be more literary, 不只 can also be used.
5
Wǒ
我
qiú
求
gēge
哥哥
bāngmáng
帮忙
,
tā
他
bùdàn
不但
bùguǎn
不管
,
fǎnér
反而
xiào
笑
wǒ
我
。
I turned to my elder brother. He didn't give me a hand; he made fun of me instead.
6
Tā
他
máng
忙
le
了
yībèizi
一辈子
,
tuìxiū
退休
le
了
,
fǎndào
反倒
bù
不
shìyìng
适应
qīngxián
清闲
de
的
shēnghuó
生活
le
了
。
He worked for most of his life, when he retired, he found it difficult to adapt himseflt to a leisurely life.
不只……还……, etc. indicates the increase in quantity and the main verb of the predicate of the subordinate clause is 是.
In these cases, 不但 is not used.
不只……还……
7
Lái
来
de
的
kèrén
客人
bù
不
zhǐ
只
shì
是
zhōngguó
中国
rén
人
,
háiyǒu
还有
yīxiē
一些
wàiguó
外国
rén
人
。
Not all of the guests are from China some are from foreign counties.
8
Tāmen
他们
jiā
家
bù
不
zhǐ
只
shì
是
liǎng
两
dài
代
rén
人
,
háiyǒu
还有
yéye
爷爷
ne
呢
。
There are not just two generations. children. and Darents, in the family. Their grandfather also lives with them.
不但 and 不只 are interchangeable, to the increase in quantity.
9
Lái
来
de
的
kèrén
客人
bùzhǐ
不只
(
bùdàn
不但
)
yǒu
有
zhōngguó
中国
rén
人
,
háiyǒu
还有
wàiguó
外国
rén
人
。
Not all of the guests are from China, some of them are foreigners.
10
Tāmen
他们
jiā
家
bùzhǐ
不只
(
bùdàn
不但
)
yǒu
有
liǎng
两
dài
代
rén
人
,
háiyǒu
还有
yéye
爷爷
ne
呢
。
There are not just two generations, children and parents, in their family. Their gradfather also lives with them.
11
Shānlǐ
山里
bùzhǐ
不只
(
bùdàn
不但
)
shēnghuó
生活
zhāo
着
hóuzi
猴子
,
háiyǒu
还有
qítā
其它
xiǎodòngwù
小动物
。
The mountain is not only home to monkeys, but also to other small animals.
Sometimes 不只 is not a Conjunction, but a phrase with 不 qualifying 只 (adv.), used in a simple sentence.
12
Tā
他
bù
不
zhǐyǒu
只有
yī
一
zhǒng
种
àihào
爱好
。
He has more than one hobby.