nejen

Nejen is a Czech conjunction meaning not only. It is used to introduce an additional element that broadens or contrasts with what has already been stated, functioning similarly to the English phrase "not only." The typical construction is nejen A, ale i B or ne jen A, ale také B, where A and B are parallel elements in the sentence. In Czech, nejen can also appear with a broader phrase following it, connecting two coordinated parts.

Usage and syntax: Nejen usually precedes the first element that is to be expanded, and the contrasting or additional element follows after a coordinating conjunction such as ale, i, or také. The phrase is common in formal writing, journalism, and spoken Czech. It is often used to emphasize breadth or variety, and it can appear in questions or statements about multiple domains.

Examples:

- Nejen studenti, ale i učitelé se zúčastnili konference.

- Nejen čeština, ale i slovinština má podobné gramatické struktury.

- Nejen v literatuře, ale i ve vědě se objevuje tento trend.

- Nejen to, ale i ono je důležité.

Variations and notes: Besides the standard nejen ... ale i/ale také, the construction may appear with nýbrž in some stylistic variants, though ale is more common in contemporary usage. Nejen is a versatile tool for emphasizing inclusion or contrast and does not require a negation of its own beyond the initial ne- prefix that forms the meaning "not only."