除非

Unless

Level 3Sounds Like ceoi4 fei1

除非 (ceoi4 fei1) is the Cantonese equivalent of 'unless'. It highlights a specific condition that must be met to change a situation or prevent a default outcome.

How It Works

除非 (ceoi4 fei1) is a versatile conjunction used in both spoken and written Cantonese. Its meaning shifts slightly depending on the correlative word used in the second clause:

  • Unless... otherwise: 除非 [Condition], 如果唔係 [Outcome]. This is the most common colloquial structure. In very casual speech, 如果唔係 can be shortened to just 唔係.
  • Only if... then: 除非 [Condition], [Subject] 先 [Result]. This emphasizes that the condition is the only way the result can happen. Note that Cantonese uses 先 (sin1) here, whereas Mandarin would use 才 (cái).
  • Formal usage: In formal or written contexts, 如果唔係 is replaced by 否則 (fau2 zak1) or 不然 (bat1 jin4).

Unlike the simple 'if' (如果), 除非 implies exclusivity—it is the one and only exception to the rule.

Examples (4)

  1. 除非落雨，如果唔係我哋聽日會去行山。

    Unless it rains, (otherwise) we will go hiking tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Unless fall rain, if not is we tomorrow will go walk mountain.

    Here, 'falling rain' is the exception. If it doesn't happen, the default plan (hiking) proceeds.

  2. 除非你道歉，我先會原諒你。

    Only if you apologize will I forgive you.

    Word by Word: Unless you apologize, I first will forgive you.

    Using 先 (sin1) turns the 'unless' into a 'only if' requirement. I won't forgive you under any other condition.

  3. 除非佢親口講，唔係我唔會信。

    Unless he says it himself, I won't believe it.

    Word by Word: Unless he personal mouth speak, not is I not will believe.

    This uses the casual shortened form 唔係 (m4 hai6) to mean 'otherwise'.

  4. 除非有問題，如果唔係就可以走㗎喇。

    Unless there's a problem, we can go.

    Word by Word: Unless have problem, if not is then can leave [particle] [particle].

    The condition 'having a problem' is the only thing that would stop us from leaving.

Common Mistakes

  • Pairing 除非 with 就 (zau6) instead of 先 (sin1).

    除非你請我，我就去。
    除非你請我，我先去。

    In Cantonese, 除非 (ceoi4 fei1) requires the 'only then' logic of 先 (sin1). Using 就 (zau6) sounds like a standard 'if' sentence, which conflicts with the exclusive nature of 除非.

  • Adding an unnecessary negative inside the 除非 clause.

    除非你唔去，如果唔係我會去。
    除非你去，如果唔係我唔會去。

    Learners often translate 'Unless you don't go' literally. In Cantonese, the clause after 除非 should be the positive exception itself. Adding an extra 'not' (唔) creates a double negative that is confusing.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

除非Level 3Unless

Learn This First

To understand 'unless' (除非), you need to be comfortable with basic conditional structures in Cantonese. It is most commonly used in a paired structure with 'otherwise' (如果唔係) to describe what will happen if a specific condition is not met.

Words in This Pattern

除非