除外

• Pinyin: chú wài
• Hanzi breakdown: 除 = 阝 (mound) + 余 (surplus, phonetic) = to remove; 外 = 夕 (evening) + 卜 (divination) = outside

Meaning

To exclude; to leave out; except for. Used to specify that something is not included in a group or category.

Common in legal documents, rules, and formal statements to explicitly exclude certain items or conditions. Often appears after the excluded item or at the end of a clause. Can function as a verb or postpositional element.

Examples

1. 所有员工都参加了年会，生病的同事除外。 All employees attended the annual party, except for those who were sick.
2. 这项优惠政策适用于所有商品，特价商品除外。 This promotional policy applies to all products, excluding sale items.
3. 节假日除外，图书馆每天开放到晚上九点。 Except for holidays, the library is open until 9 PM every day.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, rules, formal statements

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 本协议的条款对双方均有约束力，另有规定的除外。(The terms of this agreement are binding on both parties, except where otherwise specified.)
• 周末除外，我们每天都营业。(We're open every day except weekends.)

Don't Say

• 我除外他 (除外 is postpositional or used in fixed phrases — for 'to exclude someone,' use 把他排除在外 or 不包括他)

Origin & History

Compound of 除 (to remove, to exclude) and 外 (outside). Literally means 'remove to the outside.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal