Meaning of 不但
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- not only (... but also ...)
How to use 不但
不但 opens the first half of a sentence and is usually followed by 而且 (érqiě) or 还 (hái) in the second half to add a further point. Example: 她不但会说中文，而且说得很好。(Tā bùdàn huì shuō Zhōngwén, érqiě shuō de hěn hǎo.) She not only speaks Chinese, but speaks it very well.
不 (bù) means "not" and 但 (dàn) means "only" here, so 不但 is literally "not only." Picture saying "not just this" and then holding up a second finger for the "but also" that comes next.
Common mistake: Learners often put 不但 before the subject when both clauses share the same subject. Say 我不但喜欢茶，还喜欢咖啡, not 不但我喜欢茶. Also note the tone: 不 stays fourth tone here because 但 is fourth tone too, so it changes to bú (búdàn) in speech.
不但 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
不 bù · no · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
但 dàn · but · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 不但.
| 对不起 | duìbuqǐ | I'm sorry; excuse me; I beg your pardon; to let (sb) down; to disappoint |
| 是不是 | shì bu shì | is or is not (used to form yes-no questions) |
| 不用 | bùyòng | need not |
| 不大 | bù dà | not very (clear, far away etc); not too; not often; infrequently |
| 不对 | bùduì | incorrect; wrong |
| 不客气 | bù kèqì | you're welcome; don't mention it |
| 不要 | bùyào | don't!; must not |
| 但是 | dànshì | but; however |
| 不过 | bùguò | only; merely |
| 不错 | bùcuò | correct; right |
| 不行 | bùxíng | won't do; be out of the question |
| 不同 | bù tóng | different; distinct |
Questions about 不但
What does 不但 mean?
不但 (bùdàn) means "not only (... but also ...)" and is used as a conjunction.
How do you write 不但?
不但 is made of 2 characters: 不 (4 strokes), 但 (7 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 不但 an HSK word?
Yes. 不但 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Can I use 不但 without 而且?
In most sentences you need a second part with 而且, 还, or 也 to complete the idea. Using 不但 alone sounds unfinished to native speakers.
What is the difference between 不但 and 不仅?
They mean the same thing, "not only." 不仅 (bùjǐn) sounds a little more formal and is common in writing, while 不但 is very common in everyday speech.