chẳng những...mà còn — Not Only (Formal Variant)

Meaning & Usage

The grammar structure chẳng những...mà còn is a correlative conjunction in Vietnamese that translates directly to "not only... but also" in English. At the B1 level of the Vietnamese Language Proficiency Framework (NLTV), learners are expected to move beyond simple sentence structures and begin using more sophisticated connectors to link ideas. While the more common version không những... mà còn or the casual không chỉ... mà còn are frequently heard in daily conversation, chẳng những...mà còn carries a slightly more formal, literary, and emphatic tone.

This structure is used to emphasize that a person, object, or situation possesses not just one quality or performs one action, but an additional (and often more significant) one as well. It functions as an additive logic: A is true, and furthermore, B is also true. The use of the word chẳng (a literary variant of không meaning "not") elevates the register of the sentence, making it suitable for formal writing, speeches, news reports, and respectful storytelling.

In terms of nuance, using chẳng những suggests a stronger sense of surprise or highlighting than không chỉ. When you use this pattern, you are guiding the listener's attention to the fact that the first point was already impressive or noteworthy, but the second point is even more so. It is highly effective in persuasive writing or when providing a comprehensive description of someone's talents or the benefits of a product.

In terms of regional usage, you will find this pattern across all of Vietnam, though it is particularly favored in Northern formal rhetoric. Southerners may use it in formal contexts but might lean towards không những in standard professional speech. Regardless of the region, using this correctly marks you as an advanced learner who understands the stylistic layers of the Vietnamese language.

Structure & Formation

The structure is quite flexible and can connect adjectives, verbs, or entire clauses. The most important thing to remember is the balance between the two parts of the sentence. Vietnamese is an SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) language, and this pattern fits into that flow naturally.

It is worth noting that the word [mà acts as the bridge, while [còn (meaning "still" or "additionally") provides the additive force. Occasionally, you may see mà còn... nữa at the end of the sentence to add even more emphasis, though this is optional. When the subjects of the two clauses are different, the word chẳng những moves to the very beginning of the sentence to set the stage for the comparison between the two subjects.

Example Sentences

Describing People & Talents

Describing Places & Situations

Business & Work Contexts

Using Different Subjects

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Forgetting the word "mà"

❌ Anh ấy chẳng những giỏi còn tốt bụng.

✅ Anh ấy chẳng những giỏi mà còn tốt bụng.

English speakers often forget the connecting word "mà" because they are thinking of "but also" as a single unit. In Vietnamese, the "mà" is essential to link the two descriptive phrases logically. Without it, the sentence feels disjointed and grammatically incomplete.

Mistake 2: Incorrect Word Order with Different Subjects

❌ Tôi chẳng những đi mà anh ấy còn đi.

✅ Chẳng những tôi đi mà anh ấy còn đi.

When you have two different people performing actions, "chẳng những" must come at the beginning of the sentence to act as a correlative for the whole statement. Placing it after the first subject makes the sentence sound like you are listing qualities of the first subject only, causing confusion when the second subject appears.

Mistake 3: Using "chẳng những" in overly casual settings

❌ Chị ơi, cái bánh này chẳng những ngon mà còn rẻ quá!

✅ Chị ơi, cái bánh này không chỉ ngon mà còn rẻ nữa!

While not technically "wrong" in a grammatical sense, using chẳng những while buying street food or talking to close friends can sound unnaturally stiff or "poetic." It is better to use không chỉ or không những for daily errands and casual conversations.

Mistake 4: Confusing "chẳng những" with "mặc dù"

❌ Chẳng những trời mưa, chúng tôi vẫn đi chơi.

✅ Mặc dù trời mưa, chúng tôi vẫn đi chơi.

Some learners confuse additive conjunctions (not only... but also) with concessive ones (although... still). Chẳng những is used when both facts are moving in the same direction of importance. If the two facts are in contrast, you must use mặc dù... nhưng.

Cultural Notes

In Vietnamese culture, communication styles are often indirect and layered. Using formal grammar like chẳng những...mà còn is a way to show education and respect for the listener. In a business meeting or a formal introduction, using this structure to praise a partner's company or a colleague's achievements demonstrates a high level of linguistic etiquette.

Furthermore, the word chẳng has its roots in older Vietnamese literature. It carries a slightly more "elegant" weight than không. When you read Vietnamese newspapers (like Tuổi Trẻ or Nhân Dân), you will see chẳng những used frequently in editorials to emphasize the multifaceted benefits of a policy or the multi-talented nature of a national hero. For learners, mastering this shows that you are moving from "survival Vietnamese" into "intellectual Vietnamese."

Related Grammar Points

• do...nên — Due To...Therefore in Vietnamese (Grammar B1)
• không những...mà còn — Not Only...But Also in Vietnamese (Grammar B1)
• tuy...nhưng — Although / Even though in Vietnamese (Grammar B1)
• không những...mà còn vs chẳng những...mà còn — Not Only (Register) (Comparison B1)
• vừa...vừa — Simultaneously (At the Same Time) (Grammar B1)
• thôi — That's Enough Particle (Grammar B1)

Practice Tips

To master this B1-level grammar point, try the following exercises:

1. The "Praise" Exercise: Write five sentences about your best friend or a family member using chẳng những... mà còn. Focus on combining a talent with a personality trait (e.g., "not only cooks well but is also very kind").

2. Professional Contexts: If you work in Vietnam or with Vietnamese partners, try using this in your next formal email. Instead of saying "The report is finished," try saying "The report is not only finished on time but also includes very detailed data.": Bản báo cáo chẳng những hoàn thành đúng hạn mà còn bao gồm số liệu rất chi tiết.

3. Exam Preparation: In the NLTV (VSTEP) B1 exam, you will often encounter this in the reading comprehension or writing section. Look for chẳng những at the start of sentences in long texts; it usually signals that the author is about to make a strong supporting point. In the writing section, using this structure instead of simple "and" (và) will significantly increase your score for "grammatical range and accuracy."

4. Listen for the Cadence: Listen to Vietnamese news anchors. They often use a specific rising tone on the "những" and a slight pause before "mà còn" to create a rhythmic, authoritative sound. Mimicking this intonation will make your formal Vietnamese sound much more authentic.