unless; except; apart from
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesconjunction
unless; if not for
dialectUsed to introduce the sole condition or exception in a statement. This usage is regional and informal.
Cuò错
fēi非
zhè这
zhǒng种
yào药
，
bié别
de的
yào药
zhì治
bù不
liǎo了
tā他
de的
bìng病
。
Unless it's this medicine, no other medicine can cure his illness.
Cuò错
fēi非
tā他
qīn亲
zì自
lái来
qǐng请
，
fǒu否
zé则
wǒ我
bù不
huì会
qù去
de的
。
Unless he comes to invite me personally, I won't go.
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Zhè这
ge个
mì秘
mì密
，
cuò错
fēi非
nǐ你
gào告
su诉
wǒ我
，
wǒ我
yǒng永
yuǎn远
bù不
zhī知
dào道
。
I would never have known this secret unless you told me.
preposition
except; apart from; besides
dialectUsed to exclude something from a general statement. This usage is less common and dialectal.
Cuò错
fēi非
Xiǎo小
Wáng王
，
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
dào到
qí齐
le了
。
Apart from Xiao Wang, everyone has arrived.
Zhè这
ge个
cài菜
cuò错
fēi非
yǒu有
diǎn点
xián咸
，
wèi味
dào道
hái还
shì是
bù不
cuò错
de的
。
Apart from being a bit salty, this dish tastes pretty good.