A1 · Débutant Chapitre 10

Stacking Facts and Exceptions

5 Règles totales
51 exemples
6 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Layer your thoughts to describe the world with more detail and nuance.

  • Combine multiple facts about a person or place effortlessly.
  • Express accumulating problems or sequence of events with style.
  • Specify exceptions and additions using 'besides' and 'except for'.
Stack your ideas, define your exceptions.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Ready to take your Chinese from basic statements to really expressive conversations? In this super exciting chapter,

Stacking Facts and Exceptions,
you're going to unlock the power to add depth and nuance to everything you say, even as an absolute beginner! What will you master? You’ll learn incredibly useful conjunctions like 不但...而且 and 不仅...而且 – think of them as your secret weapons for saying
not only... but also.
You'll discover how to use them to pile up amazing facts, like
Not only is this restaurant delicious, but it’s also super affordable!
Then, we'll flip the script and show you how to use the same pattern to express accumulating problems, like
Not only is it raining, but I also forgot my umbrella!
Finally, you'll get the hang of 除了...以外, which lets you neatly talk about besides or except for, perfect for when you need to specify details, like
Besides him, everyone else is here.
Why does this matter? Imagine trying to describe your favorite movie, explain why you're busy, or even just order food precisely. These patterns let you build richer sentences, making your Chinese sound much more natural and sophisticated. You won't just list things anymore; you'll connect them with style! By the end of this chapter, you won't just be forming simple sentences; you'll be weaving together ideas, expressing contrasts, and clearly stating exceptions. You'll sound more like a native speaker, ready to impress your Chinese friends with your newfound conversational flair. Don't worry, we'll guide you step-by-step. Let's make your Chinese shine!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to describe a restaurant using 'not only... but also' to list its positive traits.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to explain a difficult situation by stacking problems using negative conjunctions.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to clarify who is attending an event using 'except for' and 'besides'.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Welcome to
Stacking Facts and Exceptions,
your essential guide to adding depth and flair to your A1 Chinese grammar! As you progress from simple sentences, you'll find that connecting ideas smoothly is key to more natural conversations. This chapter introduces you to incredibly useful Chinese conjunctions that will elevate your speaking and understanding.
We're focusing on patterns like 不但...而且 and 不仅...而且 for saying
not only... but also,
which are fundamental for expressing multiple related ideas. You'll also master 除了...以外 to clearly state besides or except for.
Why are these patterns so important for learning Chinese A1? Imagine being able to say, "Not only is this movie interesting, but it's also very funny! or Besides coffee, I also like tea." These structures allow you to build richer, more complex thoughts, moving beyond basic subject-verb-object constructions. Mastering them will make your Chinese sentences sound more sophisticated and natural, helping you express yourself with greater precision and confidence.
By the end of this chapter, you won't just be stating facts; you'll be weaving them together, making your A1 Chinese truly shine!

How This Grammar Works

This chapter equips you with powerful tools to connect ideas, making your Chinese grammar more expressive. Let's break down each pattern:
1. Stacking Facts: Not Only... But Also (不但...而且)
This structure is perfect for linking two positive, additional pieces of information about a subject. The general pattern is: 不但 [fact 1], 而且 [fact 2].
Example

这个餐厅不但好吃，而且很便宜。(Zhège cāntīng bùdàn hǎochī, érqiě hěn piányi.) (This restaurant is not only delicious, but also very cheap.)

You can also use this for Stacking Problems:
Example

天气不但冷，而且下雨了。(Tiānqì bùdàn lěng, érqiě xià yǔ le.) (The weather is not only cold, but also raining.)

2. Chinese Not Only... But Also (不仅...而且)
Similar to 不但...而且, 不仅...而且 also means
not only... but also.
While often interchangeable, 不仅 can sometimes imply that the second point is even more significant or unexpected than the first. For A1 Chinese learners, you can generally use them in similar contexts.
Example

他不仅会说中文，而且说得很好。(Tā bùjǐn huì shuō Zhōngwén, érqiě shuō de hěn hǎo.) (He not only can speak Chinese, but also speaks it very well.)

3. Using 除了...以外 (chúle...yǐwài) for 'Besides' and 'Except For'
This versatile phrase can mean two things depending on the context:
* 'Besides' (inclusive): When you mean in addition to or apart from, including the item mentioned.
Example

除了咖啡以外，我还喜欢喝茶。(Chúle kāfēi yǐwài, wǒ hái xǐhuān hē chá.) (Besides coffee, I also like to drink tea.)

* 'Except for' (exclusive): When you mean excluding the item mentioned. This often uses 都 (dōu - all) or 没有 (méiyǒu - not have) in the second clause.
Example

除了他以外，大家都来了。(Chúle tā yǐwài, dàjiā dōu lái le.) (Except for him, everyone else came.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 他不但聪明，而且也努力。(Tā bùdàn cōngmíng, érqiě yě nǔlì.)
✓ Correct: 他不但聪明，而且努力。(Tā bùdàn cōngmíng, érqiě nǔlì.)
*Explanation:* When using 不但...而且 or 不仅...而且, the 也 (yě - also) is usually omitted before the second clause's verb/adjective if the subject is the same. The also meaning is already implied by 而且.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 除了他以外，我去了。(Chúle tā yǐwài, wǒ qù le.)
✓ Correct: 除了他以外，我都去了。(Chúle tā yǐwài, wǒ dōu qù le.)
*Explanation:* When 除了...以外 means except for, the second part of the sentence often needs 都 (dōu - all) or 也 (yě - also) to clearly indicate that the rest of the group is affected, or 没有 (méiyǒu) if it's a negative statement. Simply saying I went doesn't clearly convey the except for meaning for an entire group.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 我喜欢吃水果，而且蔬菜。(Wǒ xǐhuān chī shuǐguǒ, érqiě shūcài.)
✓ Correct: 我不但喜欢吃水果，而且也喜欢吃蔬菜。(Wǒ bùdàn xǐhuān chī shuǐguǒ, érqiě yě xǐhuān chī shūcài.)
*Explanation:* 而且 is a conjunction that connects two clauses or phrases, usually with 不但 or 不仅 preceding the first. It cannot typically stand alone to connect two nouns in this way. For simply listing things, use 和 (hé - and) or just commas.

Real Conversations

A

A

这家咖啡店怎么样？(Zhè jiā kāfēidiàn zěnmeyàng?) (How is this coffee shop?)
B

B

这家咖啡店不但环境好，而且咖啡也很好喝！(Zhè jiā kāfēidiàn bùdàn huánjìng hǎo, érqiě kāfēi yě hěn hǎohē!) (This coffee shop is not only a nice environment, but also the coffee is very good!)
A

A

你周末有什么计划？(Nǐ zhōumò yǒu shénme jìhuà?) (What are your plans for the weekend?)
B

B

除了学习中文以外，我还想去看电影。(Chúle xuéxí Zhōngwén yǐwài, wǒ hái xiǎng qù kàn diànyǐng.) (Besides studying Chinese, I also want to go watch a movie.)
A

A

他是个好学生吗？(Tā shì ge hǎo xuéshēng ma?) (Is he a good student?)
B

B

是的，他不仅学习好，而且对同学也很好。(Shì de, tā bùjǐn xuéxí hǎo, érqiě duì tóngxué yě hěn hǎo.) (Yes, he not only studies well, but also is very good to his classmates.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What is the main difference between 不但...而且 and 不仅...而且 in A1 Chinese grammar?

For A1 Chinese learners, they are largely interchangeable, both meaning

not only... but also.
不仅 can sometimes imply a slightly stronger emphasis or unexpectedness for the second point, but the core meaning is the same.

Q

Can I use 除了 without 以外 in Chinese grammar?

Yes, you can often omit 以外 and just use 除了 (chúle). For example, 除了他，大家都来了 (Chúle tā, dàjiā dōu lái le) is perfectly natural and common.

Q

Are there other ways to say

not only... but also
in Chinese?

While 不但...而且 and 不仅...而且 are the most common and versatile, you might encounter 不但...还/也 (bùdàn...hái/yě) or 不但...并且 (bùdàn...bìngqiě) in more formal contexts. For A1 Chinese, focus on mastering the primary two.

Cultural Context

In daily Chinese conversation, using patterns like 不但...而且 and 除了...以外 is incredibly common and makes your speech sound much more natural and less disjointed. Native speakers frequently use these to elaborate on ideas, offer nuanced opinions, or provide specific details. Rather than just listing separate facts, these conjunctions allow you to create a smooth flow, showing the relationship between different pieces of information.
Mastering them helps you communicate more effectively and participate in more sophisticated discussions, even at an early stage of learning Chinese.

Exemples clés (4)

1

他不仅聪明，而且很努力。

Il est non seulement intelligent, mais aussi très travailleur.

Non seulement... mais aussi (`不仅...而且`)
2

这个手机不仅漂亮，而且很便宜。

Ce téléphone est non seulement beau, mais aussi très bon marché.

Non seulement... mais aussi (`不仅...而且`)
3

这个手机不但很旧，而且很难用。

Ce téléphone est non seulement vieux, mais aussi difficile à utiliser.

Empiler les problèmes : Non seulement... mais aussi (不但...而且)
4

今天不但下雨，而且非常冷。

Aujourd'hui, non seulement il pleut, mais en plus il fait très froid.

Empiler les problèmes : Non seulement... mais aussi (不但...而且)

Conseils et astuces (4)

💡

L'effet 'Cerise sur le gâteau'

Vois la deuxième partie (après 而且) comme un petit bonus. Elle doit être encore plus intéressante que la première : «他不仅帅，而且很有钱。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Non seulement... mais aussi en chinois (不仅...而且)
💡

La règle du 'J'attends la suite'

Si tu dis '不仅', ton interlocuteur attend forcément le '而且'. Ne le laisse pas en plan ! «他不仅高，而且很帅。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Non seulement... mais aussi (`不仅...而且`)
🎯

La pause dramatique

Quand tu parles, fais une petite pause après «不但» et le premier souci. Ça crée du suspense pour ton «而且» : «不但很累，... 而且很饿。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empiler les problèmes : Non seulement... mais aussi (不但...而且)
🎯

La règle du 'Aussi'

Essaie toujours d'ajouter «也» (yě) ou «还» (hái) dans la deuxième partie. Ça rend ton chinois beaucoup plus naturel, comme un vrai natif : «他不但帅，而且还很聪明。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empiler les faits : Non seulement... mais aussi (`不但...而且`)

Vocabulaire clé (7)

漂亮(piàoliang) beautiful 便宜(piányi) cheap/affordable 下雨(xiàyǔ) to rain 伞(sǎn) umbrella 水果(shuǐguǒ) fruit 芒果(mángguǒ) mango 聪明(cōngmíng) smart/clever

Real-World Preview

coffee

Reviewing a New Cafe

Review Summary

  • Subject + 不但 (búdàn) + A, 而且 (érqiě) + B
  • Subject + 不仅 (bùjǐn) + A, 而且 (érqiě) + B
  • 除了 (chúle) + X + 以外 (yǐwài), (Subject) + 都 (dōu)/还 (hái) + ...

Erreurs courantes

While '也' can be used, the '不但...而且' pattern is the standard complete structure. Beginners often forget the '而且' connector.

Wrong: 我不但喜欢苹果，也喜欢西瓜。(I not only like apples, also like watermelons.)
Correct: 我不但喜欢苹果，而且喜欢西瓜。(I not only like apples, but also like watermelons.)

When the subjects are different (I and He), the '不但' must come BEFORE the first subject, and you usually need '也' in the second part.

Wrong: 不但我不喜欢北京，而且他不喜欢北京。(Not only I don't like Beijing, but also he doesn't like Beijing.)
Correct: 不但我不喜欢北京，而且他也不喜欢北京。(Not only I don't like Beijing, but he also doesn't like Beijing.)

You must include '以外' to complete the frame, and use '都' (all) or '还' (also) to clarify if you are including or excluding the item.

Wrong: 除了芒果，我喜欢水果。(Except mango, I like fruit.)
Correct: 除了芒果以外，我都喜欢吃水果。(Except for mangoes, I like to eat all fruits.)

Next Steps

You've just leveled up your descriptive power! Keep practicing these 'stacking' patterns to sound more expressive and natural.

Describe your family members using 不但...而且.

Write a grocery list using 除了...以外.

Continue to: Handling Contrasts and Surprises

Pratique rapide (10)

Quelle phrase décrit correctement un double problème ?

Choisis la phrase la plus naturelle :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 我的手机不但很旧，而且很慢。
La structure 不dan... 而且... demande les deux parties et une virgule pour sonner juste.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empiler les problèmes : Non seulement... mais aussi (不但...而且)

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Choisis la phrase qui veut dire 'En plus du chinois, il parle aussi anglais.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 除了中文以外，他还说英文。
Pour exprimer un ajout, on doit utiliser 还 ou 也. Utiliser 都 voudrait dire qu'il ne parle que l'anglais.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Utiliser `除了...以外` (chúle...yǐwài) pour 'En plus de' et 'Sauf'

Trouve l'erreur dans : '不但他喜欢猫，而且喜欢狗。'

不但他喜欢猫，而且喜欢狗。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他不但喜欢猫，而且喜欢狗。
Le sujet 'il' doit être avant '不但' car c'est la même personne qui aime les deux animaux.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empiler les faits : Non seulement... mais aussi (`不但...而且`)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans cette plainte.

那个人不但很漂亮和很有钱。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 那个人不但很漂亮，而且很有钱。
Tu ne peux pas utiliser 和 (hé) pour lier le deuxième point ; tu dois utiliser 而且 (érqiě) ou 也 (yě).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empiler les problèmes : Non seulement... mais aussi (不但...而且)

Complète avec le bon ordre des mots pour un sujet unique.

他 ___ 聪明，___ 很努力。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 不但...而且
Comme le sujet 'il' est mentionné en premier, on utilise la structure standard '不但...而且' pour lister ses qualités.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empiler les faits : Non seulement... mais aussi (`不但...而且`)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

除了看书以外，都我也喜欢听音乐。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 除了看书以外，我也喜欢听音乐。
Le mot 都 est mal placé. Pour dire 'aussi', on utilise 也. On ne peut pas avoir 都 et 也 ensemble ici.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Utiliser `除了...以外` (chúle...yǐwài) pour 'En plus de' et 'Sauf'

Remplis le blanc avec `都` ou `还`.

除了苹果以外，我什么水果 ___ 喜欢吃。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 都
La phrase veut dire 'Sauf les pommes, j'aime tous les fruits.' C'est une exception, donc on utilise 都.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Utiliser `除了...以外` (chúle...yǐwài) pour 'En plus de' et 'Sauf'

Quelle phrase est correcte pour deux sujets différents ?

Choisis la bonne phrase :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 不但我去, 而且他也去。
Quand il y a deux sujets (moi et lui), '不但' doit obligatoirement passer au tout début de la phrase.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empiler les faits : Non seulement... mais aussi (`不但...而且`)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur.

不仅我想喝咖啡，而且我妹妹喝咖啡。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 不仅我想喝咖啡，而且我妹妹也想喝咖啡。
Avec deux sujets différents (moi et ma sœur), on a besoin de '也' (aussi) dans la deuxième partie pour que ce soit naturel.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Non seulement... mais aussi (`不仅...而且`)

Quelle phrase est grammaticalement correcte ?

Choisis l'ordre correct pour un seul sujet :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他不仅高，而且很帅。
Quand il n'y a qu'un seul sujet (他), le sujet doit se placer AVANT '不仅'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Non seulement... mais aussi (`不仅...而且`)

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

Oui ! C'est super courant. Par exemple : «这个酒店不仅很小，而且很脏.» Garde juste le même ton pour les deux.
Ils sont presque identiques. «不但» est un peu plus formel, alors que «不仅» s'utilise plus à l'oral.
Non, ils vont par paire. Sans la deuxième partie, la phrase semble inachevée. «他不仅帅，而且很有钱。»
Ils sont presque identiques ! '不仅' est un peu plus formel, '不但' est plus courant à l'oral. «不但漂亮，而且便宜。»
Pas vraiment. C'est comme dire 'Non seulement...' sans finir ta phrase. Ton interlocuteur attendra la suite ! «不但很贵...» appelle forcément un complément.
Oui, mais seulement si tu as DEUX sujets différents. Pour l'instant, garde le sujet au début : «我不但没有伞，而且下雨了。»
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Setting Conditions
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Handling Contrasts and Surprises
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