除非 chúfēi only if (..., or otherwise, ...)
only if (..., or otherwise, ...); only when; only in the case that; unless
How to remember 除非: 除 remove + 非 not = only if (..., or otherwise, ...).
Characters
How it is used
- Unless / only if - 除非你去，否则我不去 (chúfēi nǐ qù, fǒuzé wǒ bú qù) unless you go, I won't.
- Sets the sole condition; usually pairs with 否则/不然 (otherwise) or 才 - 除非...才... (only when... then...).
- Stronger than 如果 (rúguǒ, if): it marks the one and only exception that would change the outcome.
Example sentences
- 除非雨停了，我们才会出去。 Chúfēi yǔtíng le, wǒmen cái huì chūqù.We won't go out unless it stops raining.
- 除非他们事先修好刹车，我才会买车子。 Chúfēi tāmen shìxiān xiūhǎo shāchē, wǒ cái huì mǎi chēzi.I'll only buy the car if they fix the brakes first.
- 除非你有什么值得说的话要说，否则就别吭声。 Chúfēi nǐ yǒu shénme zhíde shuō dehuà yàoshuō, fǒuzé jiùbié kēngshēng.Don't speak unless you have something worth saying.