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Expressing "unless" with 除非 ("chu2fei1")

除非 chúfēi

Grammar
HSK 4

Structure

Result / Fact ，除非 + Condition Condition, (要) 不然 + Result 除非 + Condition ，[否则 / 不然] + [Result / Fact] 除非 x，才 y

Definition

除非是汉语中表示“除非”的连词，用于引出某个条件，强调只有在该条件下，某个结果才会发生或不会发生。

除非 (chúfēi) is a conjunction in Chinese meaning 'unless', used to introduce a condition that is the only one that can prevent or cause a certain outcome.

Usage

通常与“否则”或“才”连用，形成“除非……，否则……”或“除非……，才……”的结构。前者表示如果不满足条件，就会产生相反的结果；后者表示只有满足条件，才能产生特定的结果。

It is often used with '否则' (fǒuzé, 'otherwise') or '才' (cái, 'only then') to form structures like '除非…，否则…' or '除非…，才…'. The former indicates that if the condition is not met, the opposite result will occur; the latter indicates that only if the condition is met can a specific result happen.

Examples

  • 1 除非你努力学习，否则考试不会通过。 (Unless you study hard, you won't pass the exam.)
  • 2 除非下雨，我们才会取消比赛。 (We will cancel the match only if it rains.)
  • 3 除非老板同意，否则我不能请假。 (I can't take leave unless the boss agrees.)
  • 4 除非有紧急情况，否则不要打电话给我。 (Don't call me unless it's an emergency.)
  • 5 除非你亲口告诉我，否则我不会相信。 (I won't believe it unless you tell me yourself.)
  • 6 除非得到许可，否则不得入内。 (No entry unless authorized.)

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