A1 · Iniciante Capítulo 10

Stacking Facts and Exceptions

5 Regras totais
51 exemplos
6 min
Regras neste capítulo Prática rápida

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.

O que você vai aprender

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'.

Guia do capítulo

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.

Exemplos-chave (4)

1

他不仅很帅，而且很聪明。

Ele não é apenas bonito, mas também muito inteligente.

Não só... mas também em chinês (不仅...而且)
2

这个软件不仅免费，而且很好用。

Este software não é apenas gratuito, mas também muito fácil de usar.

Não só... mas também em chinês (不仅...而且)
3

他不仅聪明，而且很努力。

Ele não é apenas inteligente, mas também muito esforçado.

Não apenas... mas também (`不仅...而且`)
4

这个手机不仅漂亮，而且很便宜。

Este celular não é apenas bonito, mas também muito barato.

Não apenas... mas também (`不仅...而且`)

Dicas e truques (4)

💡

O Toque Especial

Pense na segunda parte (depois de 而且) como a cereja do bolo. Ela deve ser um pouquinho mais interessante que a primeira: «他不仅帅，而且很有钱。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Não só... mas também em chinês (不仅...而且)
💡

A regra do 'não me deixe esperando'

Se você disser '不仅', o cérebro de quem ouve já espera o '而且'. «不仅很贵，而且不好吃。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Não apenas... mas também (`不仅...而且`)
🎯

A Pausa Dramática

Ao falar, faça uma pequena pausa após o 不但 (bùdàn) e o primeiro problema. Isso cria expectativa no ouvinte para o seu momento 而且 (érqiě) ter mais impacto: «不但很累，而且很饿。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Acumulando problemas: Não só... mas também (不但...而且)
🎯

A regra do 'Também'

Tente sempre incluir '也' (yě) ou '还' (hái) na segunda parte da frase. Isso faz seu chinês soar muito mais natural, como um nativo diria: «她不但漂亮，而且还很聪明。»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empilhando Factos: Não só... mas também (`不但...而且`)

Vocabulário-chave (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) + ...

Erros comuns

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.)
Correto: 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.)
Correto: 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.)
Correto: 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

Prática rápida (9)

Preencha a lacuna com a ordem correta para o mesmo sujeito.

他 ___ 聪明，___ 很努力。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 不但...而且
Como o sujeito 'ele' é mencionado primeiro, usamos o padrão '不但...而且' para empilhar suas qualidades.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empilhando Factos: Não só... mas também (`不但...而且`)

Encontre o erro nesta frase: '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。
O sujeito 'ele' deve vir antes de '不但' porque ele é a única pessoa fazendo as duas coisas.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empilhando Factos: Não só... mas também (`不但...而且`)

Qual frase está gramaticalmente correta?

Escolha a ordem correta para um único sujeito:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他不仅高，而且很帅。
Quando há apenas um sujeito (他), o sujeito deve vir ANTES de '不仅'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Não apenas... mas também (`不仅...而且`)

Qual frase coloca o sujeito no lugar certo?

Escolha a frase correta para descrever uma pessoa:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 他不仅很累，而且很饿。
Quando há apenas um sujeito (他), ele deve vir ANTES da palavra '不仅'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Não só... mas também em chinês (不仅...而且)

Complete a frase com o conectivo correto.

他 ___ 喜欢跳舞，而且喜欢唱歌。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 不仅
Precisamos da primeira metade do par 'não só... mas também'. Como '而且' já está lá, '不仅' é o parceiro certo.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Não apenas... mas também (`不仅...而且`)

Qual frase está gramaticalmente correta para sujeitos diferentes?

Escolha a frase correta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 不但我去，而且他也去。
Quando há dois sujeitos diferentes (eu e ele), o '不但' deve se mover para o início da frase.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Empilhando Factos: Não só... mas também (`不但...而且`)

Encontre e corrija o erro na frase com dois sujeitos.

Find and fix the mistake:

我不仅喜欢旅游，而且他也喜欢。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 不仅我喜欢旅游，而且他也喜欢。
Quando temos dois sujeitos diferentes (eu e ele), a frase deve começar com '不仅'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Não só... mas também em chinês (不仅...而且)

Preencha a lacuna com a palavra correta.

他 ___ 喜欢喝茶，而且喜欢喝咖啡。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 不仅
Precisamos da primeira parte do par 'não só... mas também'. Como a segunda parte tem '而且', a resposta é '不仅'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Não só... mas também em chinês (不仅...而且)

Encontre e corrija o erro

Find and fix the mistake:

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 me妹妹也想喝咖啡。
Ao usar sujeitos diferentes (Eu e minha irmã), precisamos do '也' (também) na segunda parte para soar natural.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Não apenas... mas também (`不仅...而且`)

Score: /9

Perguntas comuns (6)

Sim! É super comum. Por exemplo:
Este hotel não é só pequeno, mas também sujo.
-> «这个酒店不仅小，而且很脏。»
Eles são quase idênticos. «不但» é um pouco mais formal, enquanto «不仅» é mais comum na fala do dia a dia.
Não, eles são um par! Se você pular a segunda parte, a frase fica incompleta. «不仅漂亮，而且便宜。»
Eles são quase idênticos! '不仅' é um pouco mais formal, enquanto '不但' é mais comum no dia a dia. «不但漂亮，而且便宜。»
Não muito. É como dizer 'Não só...' e parar. O ouvinte vai ficar esperando. Exemplo: «不但很累，而且很饿。»
Sim, mas só se você tiver dois sujeitos diferentes. No nível A1, coloque o sujeito no começo: «我不但累，而且饿。»
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