How to say “unless” in Chinese with 除非 (chúfēi)
除非 (chúfēi) + Condition, 才 (cái) + Result / 否则 (fǒuzé) + Negative Result
除非 (chú fēi) — unless
除非 (chúfēi) + Condition, 才 (cái) + Result / 否则 (fǒuzé) + Negative Result
HSK 4Conditional Statements除非 (chú fēi) — unless
Rule structure
除非 (chúfēi) means "unless". It sets an exclusive condition. The main clause often uses 才 (cái) for positive or 否则 (fǒuzé) for negative consequences.
Rule structure
除非 (chúfēi) means "unless". It sets an exclusive condition. The main clause often uses 才 (cái) for positive or 否则 (fǒuzé) for negative consequences.
Examples
除非你亲口告诉我，我才相信。
Chúfēi nǐ qīnkǒu gàosu wǒ, wǒ cái xiāngxìn.
Unless you tell me yourself, I won’t believe it.
Examples
除非你亲口告诉我，我才相信。
Chúfēi nǐ qīnkǒu gàosu wǒ, wǒ cái xiāngxìn.
Unless you tell me yourself, I won’t believe it.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “unless” in Chinese with 除非?
Use the structure: 除非 (chúfēi) + Condition, 才 (cái) + Result / 否则 (fǒuzé) + Negative Result. For example: 除非你亲口告诉我，我才相信。 — “Unless you tell me yourself, I won’t believe it.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
除非你亲口告诉我，我才相信。 — “Unless you tell me yourself, I won’t believe it.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
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More HSK 4 grammar rules
全 — whole, entire
全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun
到 — until (time/place/degree)
Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree
连 + verb — not even
连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb
原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate
得 — must, have to
Subj. + 得 (děi) + Verb Phrase
不管 — no matter
不管 (bùguǎn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯
无论 — no matter what
无论 (wúlùn) / 不论 (bùlùn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯
难道 — rhetorical question “isn’t it…?”
难道 (nándào) + Statement + 吗 (ma)?