Using '뿐만 아니라' (Not only... but also) in Speech

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뿐만 아니라 — Not Only That, But Also

Link ideas together like a native speaker — the Korean way to add, expand, and compound.

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Iru Helper Note

뿐만 아니라 is a connector that adds ideas. Think of it as "not only X, but also Y."

한국어는 어렵지만, 뿐만 아니라 재미도 있어요.

(Korean is difficult, but not only that — it's also fun.)

🔗 What You'll Learn Today

In this lesson, you'll master 뿐만 아니라 and related additive connectors that let you expand statements and link ideas naturally. These structures let you say "not only this, but also that," which is essential for forming complete arguments, making comparisons, and telling richer stories in Korean. By the end, you'll be able to stack ideas like a native speaker.

📌 Additive Connectors: 뿐만 아니라 and Friends

Expression	Meaning	Notes
뿐만 아니라	Not only that, but also	Core connector; follows noun or verb stem
~뿐 아니라	Not only ~	Contracted form; same meaning
~뿐만 아니라 ~도	Not only ~ but also ~	Full structure with 도 complement
게다가	On top of that / furthermore	Adds more information; slightly more casual
더불어	Along with / in addition	Formal; often used in writing or speeches
게다가 더	Even more so / even on top of that	Emphasizes stacking
~도 마찬가지	~ is the same / likewise	Draws parallel: "same is true for Y"
~뿐만 아니라 ~조차	Not only ~ but even ~	조차 adds surprise or extremity
~에 더해서	In addition to ~	Formal additive; used in professional settings
또한	Also / in addition	Formal connector; common in writing
이뿐만이 아니에요	It's not just this	Spoken phrase to signal more is coming
거기다가	On top of that	Informal spoken form of 게다가
~를 비롯해서	Including ~ / starting with ~	"Not limited to, starting with"
따라서 뿐만 아니라	And therefore also	Combining cause + addition

💡 Key pattern: Noun + 뿐만 아니라 / Verb stem + ~을 뿐만 아니라 — the connector attaches differently depending on whether you're adding nouns or clauses.

💬 Conversations in Action

Dialogue 1 — At a Coffee Shop

A: 이 카페 어때요? (How's this café?)

B: 커피가 맛있을 뿐만 아니라 분위기도 너무 좋아요. (Not only is the coffee delicious, the atmosphere is also really nice.)

A: 맞아요. 게다가 가격도 합리적이에요. (Right. On top of that, the prices are reasonable too.)

B: 다음에 또 오고 싶어요. (I'd like to come again next time.)

Dialogue 2 — Talking About Learning Korean

A: 한국어 공부 어때요? (How's your Korean study going?)

B: 문법이 복잡할 뿐만 아니라 발음도 어려워요. (Not only is the grammar complicated, but the pronunciation is also hard.)

A: 그렇죠. 더불어 어휘도 많아요. (I know. In addition, there's also a lot of vocabulary.)

B: 그래도 재미있어요! (Still, it's fun!)

🌏 Cultural Note — Stacking Praise and Complaints

Koreans often stack attributes using 뿐만 아니라 when giving recommendations or reviews. Rather than saying a single positive or negative, it's culturally natural to layer qualities — 맛있을 뿐만 아니라 분위기도 좋고 가격도 좋아요 (not only is it tasty, the atmosphere and price are also good). This stacking style signals thoroughness and credibility, which is valued in Korean communication. Mastering this connector makes your opinions sound richer and more authentic.

<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise

Practice using 뿐만 아니라 and additive connectors in real-life contexts.

A. Your friend asks about a restaurant. Say: "Not only is the food good, but the service is also great."

<summary>Answer

음식이 맛있을 뿐만 아니라 서비스도 훌륭해요. (Not only is the food good, the service is also great.)

</summary>

B. Tell someone that Korean is not only interesting but also useful.

<summary>Answer

한국어는 재미있을 뿐만 아니라 실용적이에요. (Korean is not only interesting but also useful.)

</summary>

C. Say: "On top of that, the price is also reasonable."

<summary>Answer

게다가 가격도 합리적이에요. (On top of that, the price is also reasonable.)

</summary>

D. Say: "Not only the teacher, but also the students work hard."

<summary>Answer

선생님뿐만 아니라 학생들도 열심히 해요. (Not only the teacher, but also the students work hard.)

</summary>

E. Say: "Not only is it difficult, but it's even exhausting."

<summary>Answer

어려울 뿐만 아니라 힘들기조차 해요. (Not only is it difficult, it's even exhausting.)

</summary>

F. Say: "In addition, it's also very convenient."

<summary>Answer

또한 매우 편리해요. (In addition, it's also very convenient.)

</summary>

G. Say this restaurant review: "Not only is the atmosphere great, but the menu variety is also impressive."

<summary>Answer

분위기가 좋을 뿐만 아니라 메뉴 종류도 다양해요. (Not only is the atmosphere great, but the menu variety is also diverse.)

</summary>

H. Link two complaints: "Not only was I late, but I also forgot my wallet."

<summary>Answer

늦었을 뿐만 아니라 지갑도 잊어버렸어요. (Not only was I late, but I also forgot my wallet.)

</summary>

I. Say: "It's not just this — there's more." (signal more is coming)

<summary>Answer

이뿐만이 아니에요. (It's not just this.)

</summary>

J. Give a 2-attribute recommendation for a place you like using 뿐만 아니라.

<summary>Answer

(Sample) 이 공원은 넓을 뿐만 아니라 조용해서 정말 좋아요. (This park is not only spacious but also quiet, so I really like it.)

</summary>

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Expression Reference

Expression	Nuance/Key
뿐만 아니라	Core additive connector
~도	Adds the second element
게다가	On top of that (casual)
더불어	In addition (formal)
또한	Also (formal/written)
~조차	Even ~ (extreme addition)
이뿐만이 아니에요	More is coming
~도 마찬가지	Same is true for ~
거기다가	On top of that (spoken)
~를 비롯해서	Including / starting with

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Tip: Add ~도 to complete the structure

뿐만 아니라 works best when paired with ~도 in the second clause: 맛있을 뿐만 아니라 분위기도 좋아요. The ~도 ("also") completes the "not only X, but also Y" pattern. Without ~도, the sentence still works but feels slightly incomplete in spoken Korean.

</summary>

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Want more reps?

Pick any two things you like or dislike about your day and connect them with 뿐만 아니라. The more you stack, the more natural it sounds!

📦 Practice Hub — Additive Connectors

Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression

A. You want to say "not only is the food good, the atmosphere is also great." Which connector goes in the blank? 음식이 맛있을 ___ 아니라 분위기도 좋아요.

(1) 뿐만 (2) 게다가 (3) 또한 (4) 더불어

<summary>Answer

(1) 뿐만 — 뿐만 아니라 is the core "not only ~ but also" structure.

B. You want to add a third point informally in speech: "On top of that, the price is reasonable." Which fits?

(1) 더불어 (2) 또한 (3) 게다가 (4) 뿐만 아니라

<summary>Answer

(3) 게다가 — casual spoken additive, perfect for adding a third point conversationally.

C. You want to say "including the teacher" in a formal report.

(1) 뿐만 아니라 (2) 선생님를 비롯해서 (3) 게다가 (4) 이뿐만이 아니에요

<summary>Answer

(2) 선생님를 비롯해서 — "starting with / including the teacher"; formal additive.

D. You want to emphasize an extreme: "Not only is it difficult, it's even exhausting." What particle shows extremity?

(1) 도 (2) 조차 (3) 뿐만 (4) 거기다가

<summary>Answer

(2) 조차 — "even" adds extremity to the second element, making it more emphatic.

E. You want to signal more is coming: "It's not just this." What phrase fits?

(1) 게다가 (2) 이뿐만이 아니에요 (3) 뿐만 아니라 (4) 더불어

<summary>Answer

(2) 이뿐만이 아니에요 — "it's not just this" signals there's more to add.

F. You want to draw a parallel: "The same is true for the students."

(1) 학생들도 마찬가지예요 (2) 게다가 학생들 (3) 학생들뿐만 아니라 (4) 더불어 학생들

<summary>Answer

(1) 학생들도 마찬가지예요 — "the students are the same" draws a direct parallel.

G. You want to add something formally in writing: "In addition, the results were positive."

(1) 거기다가 (2) 게다가 (3) 또한 (4) 이뿐만이

<summary>Answer

(3) 또한 — formal written additive, appropriate for reports and written Korean.

H. You want to say "not only is it expensive, but I also don't like the design." What connects the clauses?

(1) 더불어 (2) 비쌀 뿐만 아니라 (3) 게다가 (4) 또한

<summary>Answer

(2) 비쌀 뿐만 아니라 — verb stem + 뿐만 아니라 connects the two clauses.

I. In spoken informal Korean, "on top of that" is often said as:

(1) 더불어 (2) 거기다가 (3) 또한 (4) 에 더해서

<summary>Answer

(2) 거기다가 — the informal spoken equivalent of 게다가, common in casual conversation.

J. What follows 뿐만 아니라 in the second clause to complete the structure?

(1) 은/는 (2) 이/가 (3) 도 (4) 을/를

<summary>Answer

(3) 도 — the "also" particle ~도 completes the "not only X but also Y" pattern.

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Quick Reference

Expression	Register
뿐만 아니라	Neutral core
게다가	Casual spoken
거기다가	Very casual spoken
또한	Formal/written
더불어	Formal/written
~조차	Extreme addition
~도 마찬가지	Parallel/same
이뿐만이 아니에요	More is coming
~를 비롯해서	Including/starting with
~에 더해서	In addition to (formal)

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Pitfall

Don't use 게다가 in formal writing or presentations — it sounds too casual. Switch to 더불어 or 또한 in professional or academic contexts. And remember: 뿐만 아니라 needs ~도 in the second clause to fully land — skipping it makes the sentence feel incomplete.

Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation

A. 이 책은 재미있을 뿐만 아니라 유익해요.

<summary>Answer

This book is not only interesting but also educational/informative.

B. 게다가 날씨도 좋아서 기분이 좋아요.

<summary>Answer

On top of that, the weather is also nice, so I'm in a good mood.

C. 선생님뿐만 아니라 학생들도 열심히 했어요.

<summary>Answer

Not only the teacher but also the students worked hard.

D. 이 카페는 커피가 맛있을 뿐만 아니라 분위기도 좋아요.

<summary>Answer

This café is not only has delicious coffee but also a great atmosphere.

E. 더불어 환경 문제도 고려해야 해요.

<summary>Answer

In addition, environmental issues must also be considered.

F. 어려울 뿐만 아니라 힘들기조차 해요.

<summary>Answer

It's not only difficult but even exhausting.

G. 이뿐만이 아니에요. 더 있어요.

<summary>Answer

It's not just this. There's more.

H. 거기다가 시간도 없어서 정말 힘들었어요.

<summary>Answer

On top of that, there was no time either, so it was really tough.

I. 한국어뿐만 아니라 일본어도 배우고 싶어요.

<summary>Answer

I want to learn not only Korean but also Japanese.

J. 또한 이 방법은 비용도 절약할 수 있어요.

<summary>Answer

In addition, this method can also save costs.

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Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Word	Meaning
유익하다	To be informative / educational
분위기	Atmosphere / vibe
환경 문제	Environmental issues
고려하다	To consider
힘들다	To be tough / exhausting
절약하다	To save / conserve
비용	Cost
방법	Method / way
기분이 좋다	To be in a good mood
열심히 하다	To work hard

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Grammar Tip

뿐만 아니라 attaches differently to nouns vs. verbs: Noun + 뿐만 아니라 (선생님뿐만 아니라) / Verb stem + ~(을) 뿐만 아니라 (맛있을 뿐만 아니라). For verb-based clauses, you need the appropriate verb ending before attaching the connector.

Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence

A. 이 영화는 재미있을 뿐만 아니라 ___도 인상적이에요. (the acting)

<summary>Answer

연기 — 이 영화는 재미있을 뿐만 아니라 연기도 인상적이에요. (This film is not only interesting but the acting is also impressive.)

B. 게다가 ___도 빨라서 편해요. (the delivery)

<summary>Answer

배송 — 게다가 배송도 빨라서 편해요. (On top of that, the delivery is also fast, so it's convenient.)

C. 한국어뿐만 아니라 ___도 배우고 싶어요. (culture)

<summary>Answer

문화 — 한국어뿐만 아니라 문화도 배우고 싶어요. (I want to learn not only Korean but also the culture.)

D. 이뿐만이 ___에요. 더 있어요. (negative: not just)

<summary>Answer

아니 — 이뿐만이 아니에요. (It's not just this.)

E. 더불어 ___도 중요해요. (safety)

<summary>Answer

안전 — 더불어 안전도 중요해요. (In addition, safety is also important.)

F. 어려울 뿐만 아니라 시간도 ___어요. (takes/required: 걸리)

<summary>Answer

걸려 — 어려울 뿐만 아니라 시간도 많이 걸려요. (Not only is it difficult, it also takes a lot of time.)

G. ___뿐만 아니라 직원들도 친절해요. (the manager)

<summary>Answer

매니저 — 매니저뿐만 아니라 직원들도 친절해요. (Not only the manager but the staff are also kind.)

H. 거기다가 ___도 없어서 정말 힘들었어요. (energy)

<summary>Answer

힘 — 거기다가 힘도 없어서 정말 힘들었어요. (On top of that, I had no energy either, so it was really tough.)

I. 또한 이 방법은 ___도 절약돼요. (time)

<summary>Answer

시간 — 또한 이 방법은 시간도 절약돼요. (In addition, this method also saves time.)

J. 비쌀 뿐만 아니라 ___도 별로예요. (the quality)

<summary>Answer

품질 — 비쌀 뿐만 아니라 품질도 별로예요. (Not only is it expensive, the quality isn't great either.)

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Sentence Starters

Starter	Use
~뿐만 아니라 ~도	Core additive
게다가	Add casually
거기다가	Add informally in speech
더불어	Add formally
또한	Add in writing
이뿐만이 아니에요	Signal more
~도 마찬가지	Draw parallel
~조차	Extreme addition
~를 비롯해서	Including / starting with
~에 더해서	In addition to (formal)

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Production Tip

When making recommendations in Korean, try a 3-stack: start with 뿐만 아니라 for the second attribute, then add 게다가 for the third. This sounds natural and thorough: 맛있을 뿐만 아니라 분위기도 좋아요. 게다가 가격도 합리적이에요.

Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion

A. A: 이 카페 어때요? / B: 커피가 맛있을 ___ 아니라 분위기도 좋아요.

<summary>Answer

뿐만 — 커피가 맛있을 뿐만 아니라 분위기도 좋아요. (Not only is the coffee delicious, the atmosphere is also great.)

B. A: 또 뭐가 좋아요? / B: ___다가 가격도 합리적이에요.

<summary>Answer

게 — 게다가 가격도 합리적이에요. (On top of that, the price is also reasonable.)

C. A: 공부가 힘들죠? / B: 네, 어려울 뿐만 아니라 시간도 많이 ___여요.

<summary>Answer

걸려 — 어려울 뿐만 아니라 시간도 많이 걸려요. (Not only is it difficult, it also takes a lot of time.)

D. A: 그게 다예요? / B: 아니요, 이뿐만이 ___에요. 더 있어요.

<summary>Answer

아니 — 이뿐만이 아니에요. 더 있어요. (It's not just this. There's more.)

E. A: 선생님만 그렇게 해요? / B: 아니요, 선생님___ 아니라 학생들도 그래요.

<summary>Answer

뿐만 — 선생님뿐만 아니라 학생들도 그래요. (Not only the teacher, but the students also do that.)

F. A: 보고서 어떻게 써요? / B: ___ 이 방법은 시간도 절약돼요.

<summary>Answer

또한 — 또한 이 방법은 시간도 절약돼요. (In addition, this method also saves time.)

G. A: 여행은 어땠어요? / B: 경치가 아름다울 뿐만 아니라 음식도 ___아요.

<summary>Answer

맛있었 — 경치가 아름다울 뿐만 아니라 음식도 맛있었어요. (Not only was the scenery beautiful, the food was also delicious.)

H. A: 한국어 어때요? / B: 재미있을 뿐만 아니라 도움도 ___이 돼요.

<summary>Answer

많 — 도움도 많이 돼요. (Not only is it interesting, it's also very helpful.)

I. A: 그 가게 추천해요? / B: 네! ___다가 서비스도 너무 좋아요.

<summary>Answer

게 — 게다가 서비스도 너무 좋아요. (On top of that, the service is also amazing.)

J. A: 요즘 어때요? / B: ___ 일도 많고 힘들어요. 그래도 괜찮아요.

<summary>Answer

거기다가 — 거기다가 일도 많고 힘들어요. (On top of that, there's also a lot of work and it's tough. Still, I'm okay.)

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Useful Phrases

Phrase	Meaning
뿐만 아니라 ~도	Not only ~ but also
게다가	On top of that
거기다가	On top of that (spoken)
이뿐만이 아니에요	It's not just this
더불어 / 또한	In addition (formal)
시간도 많이 걸려요	It also takes a lot of time
분위기도 좋아요	The atmosphere is also nice
가격도 합리적이에요	The price is also reasonable
도움이 많이 돼요	It's very helpful
경치가 아름답다	The scenery is beautiful

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Conversation Tip

When stacking three qualities, vary your connectors: use 뿐만 아니라 for the second, then 게다가 for the third. This sounds fluid and natural — repeating 뿐만 아니라 twice in a row can sound stilted in casual speech.

Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice

A. Recommend a restaurant using 뿐만 아니라 and 게다가 to stack three qualities.

<summary>Sample Answer

음식이 맛있을 뿐만 아니라 분위기도 좋아요. 게다가 가격도 합리적이에요. (Not only is the food delicious, the atmosphere is also great. On top of that, the price is also reasonable.)

B. Describe a challenge you're facing using 뿐만 아니라 to stack two difficulties.

<summary>Sample Answer

시간이 없을 뿐만 아니라 에너지도 없어요. 정말 힘들어요. (Not only do I have no time, but I also have no energy. It's really tough.)

C. Use 이뿐만이 아니에요 to tease more information before listing a third quality.

<summary>Sample Answer

커피도 맛있고 분위기도 좋아요. 이뿐만이 아니에요 — 직원들도 정말 친절해요! (The coffee is tasty and the atmosphere is nice. It's not just this — the staff are also really kind!)

D. Tell someone that learning Korean is not only difficult but even time-consuming (조차 usage).

<summary>Sample Answer

한국어는 어려울 뿐만 아니라 시간이 걸리기조차 해요. 그래도 재미있어요! (Korean is not only difficult but even time-consuming. Still, it's fun!)

E. Give a formal two-point summary using 뿐만 아니라 and 또한.

<summary>Sample Answer

이 방법은 효율적일 뿐만 아니라 비용도 절약돼요. 또한 환경에도 도움이 돼요. (This method is not only efficient but also saves costs. In addition, it is also helpful for the environment.)

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Sentence Starters

Starter	Use
~뿐만 아니라 ~도	Core stack
게다가	Third casual add
거기다가	Informal spoken
이뿐만이 아니에요	Tease more
~조차	Extreme add
더불어 / 또한	Formal add
~도 마찬가지	Draw parallel
~를 비롯해서	Including
효율적이다	To be efficient
환경에 도움이 되다	To be helpful for the environment

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Speaking Challenge

Try the "triple stack" — give any recommendation or critique in 3 parts: 뿐만 아니라 (2nd), 게다가 (3rd), then close with 이뿐만이 아니에요 and invite the other person to ask more. This is a very natural Korean conversation move.

하나만 말하지 말고, 쌓아서 말해보세요! ✨