Understanding "不但" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 不但
• Pinyin: bù dàn
• Literal Meaning: not only / not merely
• Primary Meaning: not only (used in the “not only… but also…” structure)

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

“不但” (bù dàn) is a conjunction used to introduce the first of two clauses, indicating that something is not only the case, but there is something more to add. It is almost always paired with “而且” (ér qiě, meaning “but also”), “还” (hái, “also / still”), or “也” (yě, “also”). The full pattern is typically:

不但 + [Fact A], 而且/还/也 + [Fact B]

This structure emphasizes that both facts are true, with the second often being more surprising or significant. “不但” can be placed before the subject when the two clauses share the same subject, or directly after the subject when the subjects differ. For example:

• Same subject: 他不但会说中文，而且会说日文。 (He not only speaks Chinese but also Japanese.)
• Different subjects: 不但他会说中文，而且他妹妹也会。 (Not only can he speak Chinese, but his younger sister can too.)

Note that in colloquial speech, the second part can sometimes be implied or the pattern can be simplified with just “还” or “也” without “而且”.

Character Breakdown

• 不 (bù): a negation word meaning “not” or “no”. It retains its usual fourth tone, but when followed by another fourth tone, it often changes to a second tone (bú) in actual speech due to tone sandhi. In “不但”, since “但” is fourth tone, “不” is typically pronounced as bú dàn, though pinyin writing retains the original tone marks.
• 但 (dàn): originally means “but” or “however”, but in this compound it contributes to the meaning of “only” or “merely” (as seen in classical usage where “但” could mean “only”). Together, “不但” literally says “not only”.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 这家餐厅不但便宜，而且很好吃。
• Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng bù dàn piányi, ér qiě hěn hǎo chī.

• English: This restaurant is not only cheap, but also very delicious.

• Chinese: 她不但会弹钢琴，还会拉小提琴。

• Pinyin: Tā bù dàn huì tán gāngqín, hái huì lā xiǎo tíqín.

• English: She not only can play the piano, but also the violin.

• Chinese: 不但我们去了长城，他们也去了。

• Pinyin: Bù dàn wǒmen qù le Chángchéng, tāmen yě qù le.
• English: Not only did we go to the Great Wall, but they also went.

Cultural Notes

The “不但…而且…” structure reflects the Chinese preference for parallel, balanced sentences that reinforce a point with accumulating strength. In formal writing and speeches, you will often see it used to build persuasive or emphatic arguments. There is also a more literary variant: “不但不…反而…” (not only not… but on the contrary…), which expresses a surprising opposite outcome. Mastering “不但” is a significant step toward sounding more natural in Mandarin, as it mirrors the common English “not only… but also…” but with its own word-order rules.

Conclusion

To remember “不但” (bù dàn), think of it as the “not only” half of a paired conjunction. Whenever you want to express that something has two qualities or two actions, start with “不但” and then follow up with “而且”, “还”, or “也” to complete the thought. With practice, this pattern will become an effortless way to make your Chinese sentences more complex and fluent.