nafaqat ... balki ... ham
Not Only ... but Also
nafaqat A, balki B ham = not only A but also B: nafaqat oʻzbekcha, balki ruscha ham (not only Uzbek but also Russian).
How It Works
This pattern adds a second fact to the first one, usually for emphasis. It is common in writing, news and speeches.
1. The three parts
- nafaqat goes before the first item.
- balki goes before the second item, with a comma before it.
- ham goes right after the second item.
U nafaqat oʻzbekcha, balki ruscha ham gapiradi. She speaks not only Uzbek but also Russian.
2. Matching items
Both items take the same ending: nafaqat bolalarga, balki kattalarga ham (not only to children but also to adults), nafaqat tarixi, balki taomlari bilan ham (not only for its history but also for its food).
3. With whole verbs
Each part can have its own verb: U nafaqat yaxshi oʻqiydi, balki sport bilan ham shugʻullanadi. He not only studies well but also does sport.
4. Other ways to say it
- faqat A emas, balki B ham, with faqat and emas, is common in speech: U faqat oʻzbekcha emas, balki ruscha ham gapiradi.
- In news writing, ham is sometimes left out after the second item, but keeping it is the safe choice.
5. Nafaqat is not faqat
Faqat means only. Nafaqat means not only and needs the balki part to complete it.
Examples (6)
- U nafaqat oʻzbekcha, balki ruscha ham gapiradi.
She speaks not only Uzbek but also Russian.
Word by Word: She not-only Uzbek, but Russian also speaks.
- Bu kitob nafaqat bolalarga, balki kattalarga ham yoqadi.
Not only children but also adults like this book.
Word by Word: This book not-only children-to, but adults-to also pleases.
Both items take the same dative ending, because yoqmoq takes -ga.
- Nafaqat men, balki butun oila ham xursand boʻldi.
Not only I but the whole family was happy.
Word by Word: Not-only I, but whole family also happy became.
- Samarqand nafaqat tarixi, balki taomlari bilan ham mashhur.
Samarkand is famous not only for its history but also for its food.
Word by Word: Samarkand not-only history-its, but dishes-its with also famous.
- U nafaqat yaxshi oʻqiydi, balki sport bilan ham shugʻullanadi.
He not only studies well but also does sport.
Word by Word: He not-only well studies, but sport with also is-engaged.
- U faqat oʻzbekcha emas, balki ruscha ham gapiradi.
She speaks not only Uzbek but also Russian.
Word by Word: She only Uzbek not, but Russian also speaks.
The everyday version with faqat ... emas.
Common Mistakes
Using nafaqat as if it meant only.
U nafaqat oʻzbekcha gapiradi. (meaning: She speaks only Uzbek.)U faqat oʻzbekcha gapiradi.Nafaqat means not only, so it leaves the listener waiting for a second item. For only, use faqat.
Joining the second item with va instead of balki ... ham.
U nafaqat oʻzbekcha va ruscha gapiradi.U nafaqat oʻzbekcha, balki ruscha ham gapiradi.Nafaqat is completed by balki and ham, not by va.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on Not This, But That and Only.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice nafaqat ... balki ... ham in Bubblegum
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