除咗
Except/besides
除咗 (ceoi4 zo2) is the standard way to set something apart from a group. It can mean 'except' (exclusion) or 'besides' (inclusion).
How It Works
除咗 (ceoi4 zo2) is a high-frequency pattern in spoken Cantonese. It is often used as a circumposition with 之外 (zi1 ngoi6) or 以外 (ji5 ngoi6), though these endings are frequently dropped in casual speech. You can place the subject either at the very beginning of the sentence or right before the second clause.
1. The Exclusive Meaning ('Except for')
When you want to say 'everyone except X', use the pattern: 除咗 [X] (之外), [Subject] 都.... The adverb 都 (dou1) or the negative 冇 (mou5) signals that the item is being excluded from the general statement.
2. The Inclusive Meaning ('Besides / In addition to')
When you want to say 'X and also Y', use the pattern: 除咗 [X] (之外), [Subject] 仲.... It is very common to use 仲有 (zung6 jau5) or 仲...添 (zung6... tim1) to signal that you are adding more items to the set.
3. Usage with Clauses
Unlike some English prepositions, 除咗 (ceoi4 zo2) can easily take a whole verb phrase or clause as its object (e.g., 'Besides being expensive...').
Examples (4)
- 除咗佢之外，個個都去咗。
Except for him, everyone went.
Word by Word: Except him outside, everyone all go [perfective].
Here, 都 (dou1) indicates that 'he' is the exception to the group that went.
- 我除咗蘋果之外，仲有買橙。
Besides apples, I also bought oranges.
Word by Word: I except apples outside, also have buy oranges.
This example shows the subject 我 (ngo5) placed before 除咗 (ceoi4 zo2). The use of 仲有 (zung6 jau5) shows that oranges are being added to the apples.
- 除咗貴之外，呢度啲嘢食都幾好。
Aside from being expensive, the food here is quite good.
Word by Word: Except expensive outside, here [plural classifier] food also quite good.
This shows 除咗 (ceoi4 zo2) used with an adjective phrase to set a context.
- 除咗你，我冇話畀其他人知。
Except for you, I haven't told anyone else.
Word by Word: Except you, I no tell give other people know.
Using 冇 (mou5) in the second clause creates an exclusive 'except' meaning.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out 都 or 仲 in the second clause.
Different Meaning除咗佢，我哋去咗。除咗佢，我哋都去咗。除咗佢，我哋去咗 is natural. Adding 都 (dou1) makes clear that all the rest of us went; 仲 (zung6) would mean 'besides him, we also went'.
Confusing 除咗 with 除非 (ceoi4 fei1).
除咗你幫我，我唔會做。除非你幫我，我唔會做。除咗 (ceoi4 zo2) is for exceptions to facts, while 除非 (ceoi4 fei1) is for 'unless' (a necessary condition).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '除咗' (except/besides), you need to be familiar with the aspect marker '咗', which forms the base of the expression. You also need to understand how to use '都' (all/also) and '同埋' (and/also), as these are the most common partners used in the main clause to complete the logic of 'except everyone else' or 'besides this, also that'.
- 咗Perfective Aspect
The pattern '除咗' uses the perfective aspect marker '咗' as a component to indicate the 'setting aside' of a specific item or fact.
Level 1 - 都Also / All
The word '都' is frequently used in the second clause of '除咗' sentences to indicate that 'all' others share a property, or to emphasize inclusion.
Level 1 - 同埋And (Joining Nouns)
When '除咗' is used to mean 'besides' (in addition to), it often pairs with '同埋' to list the additional items.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- 除咗...之外Apart from...
The full circumpositional form of this pattern, often used for extra clarity or in slightly more formal speech.
Level 3 - 仲...添Not Only That, Also…
Often used in the second clause of an inclusive 'besides' sentence to emphasize the addition.
Level 4 - 除非Unless
A similar-sounding word that means 'unless', often confused by learners with 'except'.
Level 3 - 連...都...Even...
Another structure used for emphasis and setting things apart, meaning 'even X...'
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice 除咗 in Bubblegum
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