除非

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 除非你亲自去,否则他不会答应。▶ —
   Unless you go in person, he won’t agree.
2. 除非下雨,我们一定去爬山。▶ —
   Unless it rains, we’ll definitely go hiking.

Collocations

Mnemonic

除 chú "to exclude" + 非 fēi "not": "unless, only if". Presents the sole condition: only this, otherwise not. Often "除非 A, 否则 B" (unless A, then B) or "除非 A, 才 B" (only if A, then B).

Related

Quick check

1. What does "除非 A, 否则 B" mean?

   • unless A, then B (A is the sole condition)
   • A or B, doesn’t matter
   • both A and B
   • A then B in sequence