نہ صرف ... بلکہ

Not Only but Also

Level 5

Not only this → also that.

How It Works

نہ صرف makes the first point insufficient as a full description. بلکہ introduces something additional or stronger, and بھی often makes the addition explicit.

Keep the coordinated parts comparable: two qualities, two actions, or two participants. The position of نہ صرف tells the listener which part is being expanded.

Do not interpret the opening negative as rejecting the first statement. In this pair, both included claims are asserted.

Examples (4)

  1. یہ کمرہ نہ صرف روشن ہے بلکہ کشادہ بھی ہے۔

    This room is not only bright but also spacious.

    The construction joins two qualities of one room.

  2. مریم نہ صرف منصوبہ بناتی ہے بلکہ اس پر عمل بھی کرتی ہے۔

    Maryam not only makes a plan but also carries it out.

    Two actions are presented as part of the same description.

  3. ہم نے نہ صرف وقت بچایا بلکہ خرچ بھی کم کیا۔

    We not only saved time but also reduced the cost.

    The second benefit adds to the first.

  4. وہ نہ صرف اردو پڑھ سکتا ہے بلکہ لکھ بھی سکتا ہے۔

    He can not only read Urdu but also write it.

    Both abilities are asserted.

How It Connects

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

نہ صرف ... بلکہLevel 5Not Only but Also

Learn This First

Understand restriction with صرف. Recognize the corrective or extending second clause introduced by بلکہ.

Words in This Pattern

نہصرفبلکہ