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不仅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
不仅bùjǐnnot only (this one)HSK 4, c, 8 strokes, rank #2296, Medium
不仅bùjǐnnot just (...) but alsoHSK 4, c, 8 strokes, rank #2296, Medium
bùjǐn(bu4jin3)bu jin T4
  1. 1not only (this one)
  2. 2not just (...) but also
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March 24, 2026

不仅(不僅)bùjǐn(bu4jin3)

不不仅 (bù jǐn) means 'not only' and is used to indicate that something is more than just one thing. It is often paired with 还 (hái), meaning 'also', to express a broader idea or to emphasize additional information.

Strokes8Frequency#2296DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

The use of 不仅 in Chinese reflects the value placed on inclusiveness and the interconnectedness of ideas in Chinese culture. It is often used in speeches and formal writing to emphasize comprehensive perspectives.

Memory tip

Imagine a person not just holding one apple (不仅) but also a basket full of apples. The character 不 (bù) looks like a person raising their arms, indicating 'not', while 仅 (jǐn) resembles a small, singular apple, representing 'only'. Together, they form the idea of not just one, but more.

Meanings of 不仅

bùjǐn(bu4jin3)
1not only (this one)
2not just (...) but also
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 不仅

不仅Simplified
不僅Traditional
8Strokes
—Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#2296Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3YCTL4HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 不仅

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Podcast: 不仅

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AI study notes for 不仅

Quick Contrast

不仅 (bùjǐn) vs 也 (yě) — use 不仅 when emphasizing that there are multiple aspects or items involved, while 也 is used more generally to add information without the same emphasis on multiplicity.

Usage Notes

Learners often mistakenly use 不仅 without pairing it with 还. Remember to always follow 不仅 with 还 when you want to add additional information. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 不仅 connects with other conjunctions and expressions that show contrast or addition. Focus on practicing sentences that use 不仅...还... to strengthen your understanding of complex sentence structures.

Common Mistakes

Students often forget to include 还 after 不仅, mistakenly saying '我不仅喜欢猫' instead of '我不仅喜欢猫,还喜欢狗'. Another common error is using 不仅 incorrectly in negative sentences, as it should be used to highlight positive attributes.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 不仅

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Component characters

不bù(negative prefix)
HSK 14 strokes一
View full entry
仅jǐnbarely
HSK 44 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say not only (this one) in Chinese

“not only (this one)” in Chinese is不仅bùjǐn

不不仅 (bù jǐn) means 'not only' and is used to indicate that something is more than just one thing. It is often paired with 还 (hái), meaning 'also', to express a broader idea or to emphasize additional information.

When to use 不仅

Learners often mistakenly use 不仅 without pairing it with 还. Remember to always follow 不仅 with 还 when you want to add additional information. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

不仅 or something close to it

不仅 (bùjǐn) vs 也 (yě) — use 不仅 when emphasizing that there are multiple aspects or items involved, while 也 is used more generally to add information without the same emphasis on multiplicity.

What learners get wrong

Students often forget to include 还 after 不仅, mistakenly saying '我不仅喜欢猫' instead of '我不仅喜欢猫,还喜欢狗'. Another common error is using 不仅 incorrectly in negative sentences, as it should be used to highlight positive attributes.

Write 不仅

不
仅

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Grammar patterns of 不仅

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

那个地方我____去过,还去过好几次呢。

I have not only been to that place — I have been there several times.

Example sentences for 不仅 (10)

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1
你知道,瑞士不仅仅只有牛铃声和约德尔调歌声。

nǐ zhīdào, ruì shì bùjǐnjǐn zhǐyǒu niú língshēng hé yāo dé ěr diào gēshēng。

Switzerland isn't all cow bells and yodelling, you know.
2
然而,这种提议的根据当然并不仅仅是经济方面的。

rán’ér, zhè zhǒng tíyì de gēnjù dāngrán bìng bùjǐnjǐn shì jīngjì fāngmiàn de。

However, the rationale for such in-itiatives is not, of course, solely economic.
3
他不仅给这一工作带来了不少经验,而且倾注了极大的热情。

tā bùjǐn gěi zhè yī gōngzuò dàilái le bùshǎo jīngyàn, érqiě qīng zhù le jí dà de rèqíng。

He brought to the job not just considerable experience but passionate enthusiasm.
4
他不仅仅发号施令,还身先士卒参加了几次激战。

tā bùjǐnjǐn fā hào Shī lìng, hái shēn xiān shì cù cānjiā le jǐ cì jī zhàn。

He didn't just command. He personally fought in several heavy battles.
5
不良驾驶不仅仅是飙车小子们才会做的事。

bùliáng jiàshǐ bùjǐnjǐn shì biāo chē xiǎo zi men cái huì zuò de shì。

Bad driving is not just the preserve of boy racers.
6
锡西不仅驼背,而且又矮又胖。

xī xī bùjǐn tuó bēi, érqiě yòu ǎi yòu pán。

Cissie was round-shouldered and dumpy.
7
他们不仅修缮了老寺庙,还修建了许多新寺庙.

tāmen bùjǐn xiūshàn le lǎo sìmiào, hái xiūjiàn le xǔduō xīn sìmiào.

They built new temples and repaired and improved old ones.
8
选花不仅要观其形还要闻其香。

xuǎn huā bùjǐn yào guān qí xíng hái yào wén qí xiāng。

Flowers are chosen for their scent as well as their look.
9
书不仅给孩子们以思想,而且使他们玩得更有意思。

shū bùjǐn gěi háizi men yǐ sīxiǎng, érqiě shǐ tāmen wán de gèng yǒuyìsi。

Books provide children with ideas and a stimulus for play.
10
它不仅难于点着, 而且闻起来有一股油味.

tā bùjǐn nán yú diǎn zhe, érqiě wén qǐlái yǒu yī gǔ yóu wèi.

Not only was it difficult to light, but It'smelled of oil.

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Frequently asked questions about 不仅

No, 不仅 is typically used in conjunction with 还 to indicate 'not only... but also...'.

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