除了 chúle — except (for), apart from, besides
chúle (second tone, rising)chu2le5
except (for), apart from, besides
HSK 3· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 3· Three-band, nine-level standardpreposition
Meanings
except (for), apart from, besides
Opens the frame 除了 X (以外). What follows decides the meaning: with 都 it *excludes* X — 除了他以外，大家都来了 — while with 还 or 也 it *includes* X and adds to it: 除了汉语，他还会说英语.
preposition
Example sentences
- 除了他以外，我们都去过北京。除了他以外，我們都去過北京。Chúle (second tone, rising) tā (first tone, high and level) yǐwài, (third tone, dipping) wǒmen (third tone, dipping) dōu (first tone, high and level) qùguo (fourth tone, falling) Běijīng. (third tone, dipping)···
Apart from him, we’ve all been to Beijing.
- 除了汉语，他还会说英语。除了漢語，他還會說英語。Chúle (second tone, rising) Hànyǔ, (fourth tone, falling) tā (first tone, high and level) hái (second tone, rising) huì (fourth tone, falling) shuō (first tone, high and level) Yīngyǔ. (first tone, high and level)···
Besides Chinese, he can also speak English.
Common mistakes
Not quite除了他，我们去过北京。
Correct除了他，我们都去过北京。
When 除了 sets someone aside, the main clause needs 都: it is 都 that says "all the rest". Without it the sentence never states what the exception is an exception to.
Not quite除了汉语以外，他都会说英语。
Correct除了汉语以外，他还会说英语。
都 and 还 pull in opposite directions. 都 means "everyone/everything else"; 还 means "and on top of that". Adding a second language is an addition, so it takes 还.