bat1 gan2不僅不仅
Jyutpingbat1 gan2
Yalebāt gán
Definition
Not only; besides this, there are others.
writtencommunication
How it's used
While 不僅 is technically a valid word in written Cantonese, it is almost exclusively replaced by 唔只 in daily spoken interaction. Using 不僅 in casual conversation can sound overly formal or like a direct translation from written Chinese. It is best reserved for formal presentations, news reports, or academic writing.
Related words
Common phrases
bat1不gan2僅...zung6仲...
not only... but also...
bat1不gan2僅...ji4而ce2且...
not only... furthermore...
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 不僅 to mean 'not' in a simple negative sense, but it must always be paired with a follow-up clause indicating an additional point, usually involving 仲 or 仲有.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
