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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "unless" with 除非 (chúfēi) as a conjunction

    HSK 4
    Condition
    Negation

    Structure

    除非 + Condition, 才 + Result

    Explanation

    除非 (chúfēi) as a conjunction means "unless" and connects a conditional clause to a main clause. It emphasizes that the stated condition is the only way to achieve the result. This structure is common in both spoken and written Chinese for setting firm conditions.

    Examples

    • 除非你提前预约，否则很难排到号。

      Chúfēi nǐ tíqián yùyuē, fǒuzé hěn nán pái dào hào.

      Unless you make a reservation in advance, it's hard to get a number.

    • 除非大家都同意，我们才能改方案。

      Chúfēi dàjiā dōu tóngyì, wǒmen cáinéng gǎi fāng'àn.

      Unless everyone agrees, we can't change the plan.

    • 除非他自己开口，不然没人知道发生了什么。

      Chúfēi tā zìjǐ kāikǒu, bùrán méi rén zhīdào fāshēngle shénme.

      Unless he speaks up himself, no one will know what happened.

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