How common it is
不但 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say bù dàn slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“不但”用来表示超出范围的意思，通常放在句首。例如：不但他学习好，而且体育也很棒。
bù dàn lái yòng biǎo shì chū xiāo fán méng de yì sī, tōng cháng fàng zài jù shǒu。rú kě：bù dàn tā xuéxí hǎo, ér qiě tǐyù yě hěn bàng。
"不但" is used to express an extended meaning and is typically placed at the beginning of a sentence. For example: 不但他学习好，而且体育也很棒。Translation: Not only does he study well, but his sports are also excellent.
Context note
“不但”常用于描述超出预期的情况或强调某人的多方面能力。例如：不但这个项目进展顺利，而且预算也节省了很多。
bù dàn zhè gè xiàng mù zhuǎn jìn suì lì, ér qiě yù suàn yě jié shěn le hěn duō。
"不但" is often used to describe situations that exceed expectations or to emphasize someone's multiple abilities. For example: 不但这个项目进展顺利，而且预算也节省了很多。Translation: Not only did this project progress smoothly, but the budget was also saved significantly.
5 examples
不但他聪明，而且也很善良。
bú dàn tā cōng ming， ér qiě yě hěn shàn liáng。
Not only is he smart, but he is also very kind.
不但天气晴朗，而且温度也适宜。
bú dàn tiān qì qíng lǎng， ér qiě wēn dù yě shì yí。
Not only is the weather clear, but the temperature is also suitable.
不但他喜欢画画，而且还会弹吉他。
bú dàn tā xǐ huan huà huà， ér qiě hái huì tán jí tā。
Not only does he like drawing, but he can also play the guitar.
不但这个故事有趣，而且还能学到知识。
bú dàn zhè ge gù shì yǒu qù， ér qiě hái néng xué dào zhī shi。
Not only is this story interesting, but it can also teach us knowledge.
不但他擅长体育，而且在学习上也很努力。
bú dàn tā shàn cháng tǐ yù， ér qiě zài xué xí shàng yě hěn nǔ lì。
Not only is he good at sports, but he is also very diligent in his studies.
5 mini stories
小明不但学习成绩好，还经常帮助同学。
xiǎo míng bú dàn xué xí chéng jì hǎo， hái jīng cháng bāng zhù tóng xué。
Xiaoming not only has excellent academic performance, but he often helps his classmates.
妈妈不但做饭好吃，还会做很多美味的点心。
mā ma bú dàn zuò fàn hǎo chī， hái huì zuò hěn duō měi wèi de diǎn xīn。
Mom not only cooks delicious food, but she can also make many tasty snacks.
小红不但画画很好，还经常参加绘画比赛。
xiǎo hóng bú dàn huà huà hěn hǎo， hái jīng cháng cān jiā huì huà bǐ sài。
Xiaohong not only draws very well, but she often participates in painting competitions.
老师不但教书认真，而且对学生也很关心。
lǎo shī bú dàn jiào shū rèn zhēn， ér qiě duì xué shēng yě hěn guān xīn。
The teacher not only teaches seriously, but also cares a lot about the students.
爸爸不但工作努力，还经常帮助邻居解决困难。
bà ba bú dàn gōng zuò nǔ lì， hái jīng cháng bāng zhù lín jū jiě jué kùn nán。
Dad not only works hard, but he often helps neighbors solve problems.