To state that a subject has more than one quality, function, or action, Arabic uses a correlative conjunction equivalent to the English "not only... but also."
Connecting Nouns and Adjectives
When linking nouns, adjectives, or prepositional phrases, use the negative verb ليس (to not be). It must agree with the subject in gender and number (e.g., ليست for feminine subjects).
You can structure this in two common ways:
- ليس فقط [X]، بل [Y] أيضاً (Not only X, but Y also)
- ليس [X] فحسب، بل [Y] أيضاً (Not X merely, but Y also)
In the first structure, فقط (only) sits immediately after the verb. In the second, فحسب (only/merely) follows the first item.
| The sanctuary is not only a tourist place, but also a safe environment. | المحمية ليست فقط مكانا سياحيا، بل بيئة آمنة أيضا.al-mahmiyyatu laysat faqat makânan siyâhiyyan, bal bee'atan âminatan aydan. |
| The rehabilitation of the natural habitat is not only important, but also urgent. | تأهيل الموئل الطبيعي ليس مهما فحسب، بل عاجلا أيضا.ta'hîlu al-maw'ili at-tabî'î laysa muhimman fahasbu, bal 'âjilan aydan. |
This phrasing works seamlessly when the items you are connecting are prepositional phrases:
| This educational project is not only for children, but also for adults. | هذا المشروع التعليمي ليس فقط للأطفال، بل للبالغين أيضا.hâdhâ al-mashrû'u at-ta'lîmiyyu laysa faqat lil-atfâli, bal lil-bâlighîna aydan. |
Connecting Verbs
When connecting two actions, replace ليس with the standard present tense negative particle لا.
The structure becomes:
- لا [verb X] فحسب، بل [verb Y] أيضاً
The word فحسب (or sometimes فقط) follows the first verbal phrase, and بل introduces the second verb.
| The law not only punishes illegal hunting, but also prevents it completely. | لا يعاقب القانون على الصيد الجائر فحسب، بل يمنعه تماما أيضا.lâ yuaqibu al-qanunu ala as-saydi al-jâ'iri fahasbu, bal yamnauhu tamâman aydan. |
| The center not only fosters orphans, but also cares for wild animals. | المركز لا يحتضن الأيتام فحسب، بل يعتني بالحيوانات البرية أيضا.al-markazu lâ yahtadinu al-aytâma fahasb, bal ya'tanî bil-hayawânâti al-barriyyati aydan. |