唔單止...仲...

Not Only...but Also...

Level 3Sounds Like m4 daan1 zi2 . . . zung6 . . .

The pattern 唔單止...仲... (m4 daan1 zi2... zung6...) is the Cantonese equivalent of "not only... but also..." It is used to add extra information that is often more significant or surprising than the first point.

How It Works

1. Basic Structure
The most common way to use this is: [Subject] + 唔單止 (m4 daan1 zi2) + [A] + 仲 (zung6) + [B] + (添 tim1). In casual speech, 唔單止 is very frequently shortened to 唔止 (m4 zi2).
Example: 佢唔止高，仲好型添 (keoi5 m4 zi2 gou1, zung6 hou2 jing4 tim1) - He is not only tall, but also very cool.

2. Subject Placement
The position of the subject depends on whether the two clauses share the same subject:

  • Same Subject: The subject usually comes before 唔單止.
    Example: 我唔單止去過日本，仲去過韓國添。
  • Different Subjects: 唔單止 comes before the first subject.
    Example: 唔單止我要去，仲連佢都要去。

3. Connectors and Particles
While 仲 (zung6) is the standard colloquial connector, you can also use 仲要 (zung6 jiu3) for more emphasis, or 而且 (ji4 ce2) in more formal contexts. Adding 添 (tim1) at the end is a hallmark of natural, native-sounding Cantonese, though it is not strictly required.

4. Register
This pattern is the default for spoken Cantonese. In formal writing, you might see the Mandarin-style 不但...而且... (bat1 daan6... ji4 ce2...), but using that in daily conversation sounds overly stiff. To become proficient in natural speech, stick to 唔單止 or 唔止.

Examples (4)

  1. 呢間餐廳唔單止平，仲好食添。

    This restaurant is not only cheap, but it's also delicious (to boot).

    Word by Word: This [classifier] restaurant not only cheap, also good eat [particle].

    A classic example using the same subject (the restaurant) and ending with the natural particle 添 (tim1).

  2. 唔單止我唔去，仲連佢都唔去。

    Not only am I not going, but even he isn't going.

    Word by Word: Not only I not go, also even he all not go.

    This shows the pattern with different subjects. Note that 唔單止 (m4 daan1 zi2) moves to the very beginning.

  3. 呢間房唔單止大，仲要好乾淨。

    This room is not only big, but also very clean.

    Word by Word: This [classifier] room not only big, also-must very clean.

    Here, 仲要 (zung6 jiu3) is used instead of just 仲 (zung6) to add a bit more emphasis to the second quality.

  4. 沙塵暴唔單止污染環境，仲會損害身體健康。

    Sandstorms not only pollute the environment but also harm physical health.

    Word by Word: Sand-dust-storm not only pollute environment, also will harm body health.

    A more formal example showing the pattern can be used for serious topics while remaining grammatically Cantonese.

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking the subject must come before 唔單止.

    Different Meaning唔單止佢好食，仲好平。
    佢唔單止好食，仲好平。

    Putting the subject after 唔單止, as in 唔單止佢好食，仲好平, is also grammatical. When both clauses share one subject, placing it before 唔單止, as in 佢唔單止好食，仲好平, is the more usual choice. With the subject after, 唔單止 can sound as if it is adding a separate point about the whole situation.

  • Forgetting the connector 仲 (zung6) in the second clause.

    佢唔單止高，好型。
    佢唔單止高，仲好型。

    Without the connector 仲 (zung6) or 仲要 (zung6 jiu3), the sentence feels incomplete and the relationship between the two points is lost.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

唔單止...仲...Level 3Not Only...but Also...

Learn This First

The pattern '唔單止...仲...' (not only... but also...) is a correlative conjunction used to add or escalate information. To understand it, learners need to be familiar with basic negation using '唔' and the use of '仲' as an additive particle meaning 'also' or 'even more' to link the two related ideas.

Words in This Pattern

唔单止