除非

chú fēi

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Conjunction Very common

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Definitions

1. only if (..., or otherwise, ...)
2. only when
3. only in the case that
4. unless

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Word relationships

Related words

3 items

• 要不 yào bù 要不 yào bù otherwise Implies an alternative or consequence if the condition is not met, often used with 除非.: otherwise
• 否则 fǒu zé 否则 fǒu zé otherwise; if not; or (else) Used after 除非 to state the consequence of not meeting the condition.: otherwise; if not; or (else)
• 除了 chú le 除了 chú le besides Shares the 除 character, meaning 'except', but used differently.: besides

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used with 否则 or 要不然 to introduce the negative consequence: 除非A，否则B (unless A, otherwise B).

Common mistakes

Do not confuse with 除了 (chúle, except). 除非 introduces a condition; 除了 introduces an exception.

Grammar

Guides that feature 除非

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2 guides

HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 6+ 6 min

除非...，否则/不然... for “Unless …, Otherwise …”

除非 names the only condition that works, and 否则 or 不然 says what will happen if it is not met: 除非你提前报名，否则不能参加.

Reading: chú fēi Open guide

HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 6+ 7 min

Restrictive Conditions with 除非...才

Use 除非...才 to say that an outcome is possible only under a specific condition.

Reading: chú fēi Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown

除非 下雨，否则我们会去公园。

Unless it rains, otherwise we will go to the park.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 除非

• 若要人不知，除非己莫为 若要人不知，除非己莫为 ruò yào rén bù zhī , chú fēi jǐ mò wéi: If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it (idiom). fig. If you do something bad, people will inevitably hear about it.

Child Words of 除非

• 除 除 chú: to get rid of
• 非 非 fēi: to not be; not