除了…都
HSK 3- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 除了…都 is used to exclude one subject, affirming that all remaining subjects share a common characteristic.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The structure 除了…都… means "except for…, (all) the rest…". It is used to exclude one person or thing (following 除了), and to assert that all other people/things in the group share a common action or characteristic (following 都).
The adverb 都 (all, every) is a mandatory element in this structure to express the sense of exclusion. Sometimes you will see 以外 (yǐwài) added after the first clause, but it is optional and does not change the meaning.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 除了他，我们都去了。繁: 除了他，我們都去了。Chúle tā, wǒmen dōu qù le.
Except for him, we all went.
- 除了苹果，我什么水果都喜欢吃。繁: 除了蘋果，我什麼水果都喜歡吃。Chúle píngguǒ, wǒ shénme shuǐguǒ dōu xǐhuān chī.
Except for apples, I like to eat all kinds of fruit.
- 除了星期天，我每天都上班。Chúle xīngqītiān, wǒ měi tiān dōu shàngbān.
Except for Sunday, I go to work every day.
- 除了小明，大家都交作业了。繁: 除了小明，大家都交作業了。Chúle Xiǎomíng, dàjiā dōu jiāo zuòyè le.
Everyone except Xiaoming has turned in their homework.
- 这件衣服除了贵，没别的缺点。繁: 這件衣服除了貴，沒別的缺點。Zhè jiàn yīfu chúle guì, méi biéde quēdiǎn.
This garment has no other faults besides being expensive.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:除了他，我们去了。Correct:除了他，我们都去了。
The adverb 都 is obligatory in this structure to express the meaning 'all the remaining people'. Without 都, the sentence would sound unnatural.
- Wrong:除了他，我们也都去了。Correct:除了他，我们都去了。
Using 也 changes the sentence to mean 'include' (he goes, we also go). To express 'exclusion', 都 must be used instead.