非但 fēidàn not only
How to remember 非但: 非 not + 但 but = not only.
Characters
How it is used
- Not only... (but also) - introduces the first, larger clause - 非但不感谢，反而抱怨 (fēidàn bù gǎnxiè, fǎn'ér bàoyuàn) not only did he not thank me, he complained.
- Written/formal equivalent of 不但; frequently pairs with 反而/反倒 to signal a contrary result.
- Emphasizes an escalation or a surprising reversal; more literary than 不但.