除了
except for; besides; in addition to
chúle
What does 除了 mean?
除了 (chúle) is a preposition meaning 'except for,' 'besides,' or 'in addition to.' It introduces something that is either being excluded from or added to the main statement, and the meaning depends on what follows. Two patterns dominate. (1) 除了 X 以外，都 / 也 Y → 'except for X, all Y' (X is excluded): 除了他以外，大家都来了 ('except for him, everyone came').
(2) 除了 X 以外，还 Y → 'besides X, also Y' (X is included, Y is added): 除了英语，我还会说中文 ('besides English, I can also speak Chinese'). The trick for English speakers is reading 还 (also)
Character breakdown
to remove; to get rid of; except
particle (here forming a fixed compound)
Memory hook: 除 means 'to take out / except.' 除了 sets the thing apart from the main group — then 都/也 means 'except,' while 还 means 'besides.'
Example sentences
除了小李，大家都来了。
Chúle Xiǎo Lǐ, dàjiā dōu lái le.
Except for Xiao Li, everyone came.
spoken
除了英语，我还会说一点中文。
Chúle Yīngyǔ, wǒ hái huì shuō yìdiǎn Zhōngwén.
Besides English, I can also speak a little Chinese.
neutral
除了周末以外，我每天都去公司。
Chúle zhōumò yǐwài, wǒ měi tiān dōu qù gōngsī.
Except for weekends, I go to the office every day.
neutral
他除了喜欢看书，还喜欢听音乐。
Tā chúle xǐhuan kàn shū, hái xǐhuan tīng yīnyuè.
Besides liking to read, he also likes to listen to music.
neutral
Common phrases with 除了
Synonyms
除 alone is more formal and written (除我之外 'except for me'). 除了 is the everyday spoken and written form. Use 除了 in conversation; 除 mostly appears in set phrases.
Don't confuse 除了 with
除非 means 'unless' — it introduces a condition (除非你去, 我才去 'unless you go, I won't go'). 除了 introduces an exclusion or addition, not a condition.
FAQ
Acquire by listening
Hear 除了 in real Chinese, not in a flashcard.
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