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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "except" and "in addition" with 以外 (yǐwài)

    HSK 3
    Connecting Ideas
    Listing & Enumeration

    Structure

    除了 + Noun + 以外, 都/也/还 + Clause

    Explanation

    以外 means "besides," "except for," or "in addition to," placed after a noun or phrase preceded by 除了. Depending on whether the main clause uses 都 or 也/还, it can mean "except for" (exclusion) or "in addition to" (inclusion). This flexibility makes 除了…以外 one of the most versatile structures in Chinese.

    Examples

    • 除了周末以外，我每天都要上班。

      Chúle zhōumò yǐwài, wǒ měitiān dōu yào shàngbān.

      Except for weekends, I have to work every day.

    • 除了英语以外，她还会说法语和日语。

      Chúle Yīngyǔ yǐwài, tā hái huì shuō Fǎyǔ hé Rìyǔ.

      Besides English, she can also speak French and Japanese.

    • 除了价格以外，质量也很重要。

      Chúle jiàgé yǐwài, zhìliàng yě hěn zhòngyào.

      Besides price, quality is also very important.

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    Expressing "except" and "in addition" with 以外 (yǐwài) | Chinese Grammar