除了…以外: “apart from”, “except”①

update time:2025-04-28 08:44:13 Number of clicks:663 hits

This may be the most common use of 除了…以外. You use the structure described above, and follow it with 都:

除了 [something] 以外,   [something] 都   [verb]

You can use this to express anything along the lines of “apart from A, B all…” in English. Have a look at some example sentences:

除了小李以外,其他学生都回答错了。

Chúle Xiǎo Lǐ yǐwài, qítā xuéshēng dōu huídá cuòle.

Apart from Xiao Li, all the students answered incorrectly.

除了这个词以外,我都看得懂。

Chúle zhège cí yǐwài, wǒ dōu kàndedǒng.

I understand all of it except for this word.

除了炒饭以外,她什么都不会做。

Chúle chǎofàn yǐwài, tā shénme dōu bù huì zuò.

Apart from fried rice, she can't cook anything at all.

Notice how in these sentences 除了…以外 is paired with 都. When it's paired with 都, it means “apart from” except.

除了…以外: “in addition”

To express “in addition” or “as well as”, all you do is change the adverb that comes after 除了…以外. This time, you use 还 or 也. Have a look at some example sentences:

除了中文以外,他还学过德文。

Chúle Zhōngwén yǐwài, tā hái xuéguò Déwén.

As well as Chinese, he's also studied German.

除了咖啡以外,我也喜欢喝茶。

Chúle kāfēi yǐwài, wǒ yě xǐhuan hē chá.

As well as coffee, I also like to drink tea.

除了工资以外,我还有一些其他的收入。

Chúle gōngzī yǐwài, wǒ hái yǒu yīxiē qítā de shōurù.

In addition to my salary, I also have some other sources of income.

Notice how you could actually translate these sentences using “apart from” in English. The point is that the function is different in this second set of sentences. They're inclusive, whereas the first set above are exclusive.

This can be a source of confusion for people learning Chinese. Just remember that 除了…以外 can be used to exclude things (“apart from”) or include things (“in addition to”). It's very versatile!


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