不
但

About

The word "不但" is formed by combining the negation "不" (bù), meaning "not", with the character "但" (dàn), which originally meant "only" or "merely". This fusion creates a new conceptual unit where the negation directly modifies and reverses the limiting sense of "但", producing a meaning that moves from "not only" or "not merely", thereby inherently setting up an expectation for something additional or expansive to follow.

Example Sentences Hide

他不但是高，而且聪明。

Tā bùdàn shì gāo, érqiě cōngmíng.

He is not only tall, but also smart.

她不但努力学习，而且经常帮助同学。

Tā bùdàn nǔlì xuéxí, érqiě jīngcháng bāngzhù tóngxué.

She not only studies hard, but also often helps her classmates.

这道菜不但味道比那家店好，价格也更便宜。

Zhè dào cài bùdàn wèidào bǐ nà jiā diàn hǎo, jiàgé yě gèng piányí.

This dish is not only more delicious than that restaurant's, but also cheaper.

我们不但要按时完成任务，而且要努力改进流程。

Wǒmen bùdàn yào ànshí wánchéng rènwù, érqiě yào nǔlì gǎijìn liúchéng.

We must not only complete the task on time, but also strive to improve the process.

如果采用新技术，不但能极大提高生产效率，还能显著增强产品竞争力。

Rúguǒ cǎiyòng xīn jìshù, bùdàn néng jí dà tígāo shēngchǎn xiàolǜ, hái néng xiǎnzhù zēngqiáng chǎnpǐn jìngzhēng lì.

If new technology is adopted, it will not only greatly improve production efficiency, but also significantly enhance the product's competitiveness.

Word Definition - 不但

bù dàn not only (... but also ...)

Individual Character Details

不 bù
但 dàn