Except/Besides (除了)
除了...以外
除了 (chúle) means either "except" or "besides/in addition to," depending on whether it pairs with 以外...都 (excluding) or 以外...也/还 (including). Context determines the meaning.
Pattern
除了 + A + (以外)，... 都/也/还 ...
Explanation
除了 is a versatile word that can mean two nearly opposite things: "except for" (excluding) and "besides" (including). The key is what follows in the main clause.
When 除了 pairs with 都 (all), it means "except": 除了他以外，大家都来了 — "Except for him, everyone came." Here, 都 emphasizes that all others did something, and the person after 除了 is the exception.
When 除了 pairs with 也 or 还, it means "besides / in addition to": 除了英语以外，她还会说法语 — "Besides English, she can also speak French." Here, 还 adds something extra on top of what was mentioned.
以外 is optional and can be omitted in casual speech: 除了他，大家都来了 is perfectly fine. A useful test: if you can replace 除了 with "other than" and the sentence works in English, you have the right structure. Pay attention to 都 vs 也/还 — that is what determines the meaning.
Examples
除了星期天以外，我每天都上班。
Chúle xīngqītiān yǐwài, wǒ měi tiān dōu shàngbān.
Except for Sunday, I work every day.
都 → excluding meaning
除了中文，他还会说日语。
Chúle Zhōngwén, tā hái huì shuō Rìyǔ.
Besides Chinese, he can also speak Japanese.
还 → including meaning
除了唱歌，她也喜欢跳舞。
Chúle chàng gē, tā yě xǐhuān tiào wǔ.
Besides singing, she also likes dancing.
除了这个问题以外，别的都做完了。
Chúle zhège wèntí yǐwài, bié de dōu zuòwán le.
Except for this problem, I've finished everything else.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
除了他来了，大家都来了。
Correct
除了他以外，大家都来了。
Do not add a full clause after 除了. It takes a noun phrase, not a complete sentence.
Wrong
除了英语，她都会说法语。
Correct
除了英语，她还会说法语。
When listing additional items (besides meaning), use 还 or 也, not 都. 都 implies excluding.
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