Progressive Sentences: “不仅/不光……,还/而且……”
In Chinese the pattern “不仅 / 不光……,还 / 而且……” expresses 递进关系 — a step-by-step strengthening of the point.
The second clause continues or supplements the first and intensifies the meaning.
How it is translated
most often:
not only …, but also …
not just …, but … as well
The pattern shown here is the one where both clauses share the same subject.
Basic structure
Subject + 不仅 / 不光 + A, 还 / 而且 + B
Meaning
The subject not only does A, but does B as well.
现在我不仅会扫码结账,还会用手机在网上购物了
我 + 不仅 + 会扫码结账,
I + not only + can pay by scanning a code
还 + 会用手机在网上购物
but also + can shop online with my phone
现在 — now
不仅 — not only
会扫码结账 — be able to pay by scanning a code
还 — also / but as well
用手机 — using a phone
在网上购物 — shop online
王老师不光教我们说中文,而且带我们了解中国文化
王老师 + 不光 + 教我们说中文,
Teacher Wang + not only + teaches us to speak Chinese
而且 + 带我们了解中国文化
but also + introduces us to Chinese culture
不光 — not only
教我们说中文 — teach us to speak Chinese
而且 — but also / moreover
带我们了解 — lead us to understand
中国文化 — Chinese culture
现在很多书店不仅卖书,还卖咖啡和奶茶
很多书店 + 不仅 + 卖书,
many bookshops + not only + sell books
还 + 卖咖啡和奶茶
but also + sell coffee and milk tea
很多书店 — many bookshops
不仅 — not only
卖书 — sell books
还 — also
卖咖啡和奶茶 — sell coffee and milk tea
Rule in brief
Subject + 不仅 / 不光 + A, 还 / 而且 + B
The second clause adds to the first and strengthens the point.
不仅会扫码结账,还会网上购物
不光教我们说中文,而且带我们了解中国文化
不仅卖书,还卖咖啡和奶茶