排除

• Pinyin: pái chú
• Hanzi breakdown: 排 = 扌(hand) + 非 (not), to push aside; 除 = 阝(mound) + 余 (surplus), to remove

Meaning

To exclude; to eliminate; to rule out. Removing something from consideration or removing obstacles.

Used in logical reasoning (排除法 process of elimination), troubleshooting (排除故障 troubleshoot), and general contexts. Can mean either removing physical obstacles or excluding possibilities. Related: 排除异己 (eliminate dissidents).

Examples

1. 警方已经排除了他的嫌疑。 The police have already ruled out him as a suspect.
2. 我们需要排除一切干扰，专心工作。 We need to eliminate all distractions and focus on work.
3. 医生检查后排除了重大疾病的可能。 After the examination, the doctor ruled out the possibility of serious illness.

Usage Guide

Context: investigation, logic, troubleshooting

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 首先要排除最不可能的选项。(First, rule out the least likely options.)
• 排除万难也要完成任务。(We must complete the task despite all difficulties.)

Don't Say

• 我排除了这个人来我的派对。(For excluding people from social events, use 不邀请 or 不包括; 排除 is more formal/analytical)

Origin & History

排 (pái, to arrange/exclude) + 除 (chú, to remove). To remove by arranging away.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal