Not only... but also -을 뿐만 아니라 in Korean

Overview

The pattern -(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라 expresses "not only... but also" in Korean at the CEFR B1 level. It adds emphasis by showing that something goes beyond what is expected. The related pattern -기도 하다 means "also does" or "sometimes does." Both patterns express addition or extent.

How It Works

Pattern	Meaning	Example
-(으)ㄹ 뿐만 아니라	not only... but also	예쁠 뿐만 아니라 똑똑해요
noun + 뿐만 아니라	not only noun	한국어뿐만 아니라 일본어도
-기도 하다	also does / sometimes	요리하기도 해요
-기도 하고 -기도 하다	both X and Y	슬프기도 하고 기쁘기도 해요

Examples in Context

Korean	Romanization	English	Note
예쁠 뿐만 아니라 똑똑해요.	ye-ppeul ppun-man a-ni-ra ttok-ttok-ae-yo	Not only pretty but also smart.	adjective + also
한국어뿐만 아니라 일본어도 해요.	han-gu-geo-ppun-man a-ni-ra il-bo-neo-do hae-yo	Speaks not only Korean but also Japanese.	noun + also
슬프기도 하고 기쁘기도 해요.	seul-peu-gi-do ha-go gi-ppeu-gi-do hae-yo	Both sad and happy.	dual emotions
가끔 요리하기도 해요.	ga-kkeum yo-ri-ha-gi-do hae-yo	Sometimes also cook.	occasional action
비쌀 뿐만 아니라 맛도 없어요.	bi-ssal ppun-man a-ni-ra mat-do eop-seo-yo	Not only expensive but also tasteless.	double complaint
노래를 잘할 뿐만 아니라 춤도 잘 춰요.	no-rae-reul jal-hal ppun-man a-ni-ra chum-do jal chwo-yo	Not only sings well but dances well too.	talents

Common Mistakes

Incorrect modifier form before 뿐만 아니라

• Wrong: 예쁘다 뿐만 아니라
• Right: 예쁠 뿐만 아니라 (future modifier -(으)ㄹ before 뿐)
• Why: 뿐 is a dependent noun requiring the modifier form -(으)ㄹ.

Forgetting 도 in the second clause

• Wrong: 한국어뿐만 아니라 일본어 해요
• Right: 한국어뿐만 아니라 일본어도 해요
• Why: The "also" particle 도 in the second clause completes the "not only... but also" structure.

Usage Notes

뿐만 아니라 is common in both speech and writing, particularly when making arguments or emphasizing qualities. -기도 하다 is extremely versatile in casual conversation for mentioning additional activities or mixed feelings. In formal writing, 뿐만 아니라 is a standard conjunction.

These patterns are commonly tested on TOPIK II and appear in formal essays and speeches. 뿐만 아니라 is the standard way to build arguments in Korean: presenting additional supporting evidence or compounding qualities. In debate or persuasion, it adds weight to claims by showing something exceeds expectations.

The -기도 하다 pattern is also used for emphasis with 얼마나...기도 하다: 얼마나 기쁘기도 했는지 몰라요 (you can't imagine how happy I was). In its simplest form, it adds variety to lists of activities or qualities and is one of the patterns that helps Korean speech sound natural and flowing.

Practice Tips

• Describe someone using 뿐만 아니라: list two or more positive (or negative) qualities.
• Practice -기도 하다 for mixed feelings: 좋기도 하고 걱정되기도 해요.
• Use these patterns in writing to make arguments more persuasive.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Polite Ending -아/어요 — base conjugation