不只 (bù zhǐ) — not only

Definition

A more written alternative to 不仅, both meaning 'not only' and typically followed by 还/而且/也 to introduce the second item. Use it as a coordinating adverb at the start of a clause or before a verb.

adverb
not only
Easily confused

Examples

  • 不只，。
    Tā bù zhǐ huì shuō zhōng wén, hái huì shuō yīng wén.
    He can speak not only Chinese but also English.
  • 不只，。
    Zhè ge wèn tí bù zhǐ yǐng xiǎng gè rén, yě guān hū zhěng gè tuán duì.
    This issue affects not only individuals but also the whole team.
  • 不只，。
    Xué xí yǔ yán bù zhǐ xū yào jì dān cí, hái xū yào duō liàn xí.
    Learning a language requires not only memorizing words but also lots of practice.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

不bùnot
只zhīonly

The sense of 只 is turned by 不 into 'not only,' implying more than one.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The picture in 不 originally showed a flower’s calyx; the “no” sense came later from a related character, not from this picture.

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A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

只 shows air coming out of a mouth, for a word used in speech.

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Grammar

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