Translation guide
The English word "except" is used to exclude something from a general statement. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with 以外 (igai), but the grammar and word order differ from English. Other patterns like を除いて (o nozoite) and だけは別 (dake wa betsu) are also used depending on context.
To say 'all/some/everything except X' or 'no one/nothing except X'.
以外 (igai) means 'except' or 'other than'. It attaches to nouns or nominalized phrases. The word order is often the reverse of English: 'X以外のY' means 'Y except X' or 'Y other than X'. When used with a negative predicate, it can mean 'nothing but X' or 'only X'.
Everyone except me came.
彼以外に誰も知らない。
No one knows except him.
日曜日以外はいつでもいいです。
Any day except Sunday is fine.
を除いて (o nozoite) is a more formal or written way to say 'except' or 'excluding'. It is often used in instructions, reports, or when listing exceptions.
この料金には税金を除いてすべて含まれています。
This price includes everything except tax.
最終日を除いて、毎日会議があります。
There is a meeting every day except the last day.
だけは別 (dake wa betsu) means 'except for' or 'is an exception'. It emphasizes that one thing is treated differently from the rest.
みんな賛成だけど、彼だけは別だ。
Everyone agrees, except for him.
のほかは (no hoka wa) can mean 'except' or 'apart from', but it is less common than 以外 and can be ambiguous (also meaning 'besides'). Use with caution.
のほか can also mean 'in addition to', so context is important. 以外 is clearer for 'except'.
彼のほかは誰も来なかった。
No one came except him.
To say 'except when/if/that...' or 'except for the fact that...'.
This pattern is used to say 'except for X, not...' or 'only X'. It can be used with verbs and adjectives by nominalizing them with の or こと.
彼が来ること以外に方法はない。
There is no way except for him to come.
ここが静かである以外は、特にいいところではない。
Except that it's quiet here, it's not a particularly nice place.
を除けば (o nozokeba) is the conditional form of 除く, meaning 'if we exclude...' or 'except for'. It is slightly more formal and often used in written analysis.
この点を除けば、計画は完璧だ。
Except for this point, the plan is perfect.
A more explicit way to say 'except for the fact that...' or 'except in the respect that...'. It is wordy but clear.
彼は経験が浅いという点を除いて、有能だ。
He is competent, except for the fact that he lacks experience.
To say 'except that...' or 'only, but...' when contrasting a minor flaw or exception.
This pattern means 'it's just that...' or 'the only thing is...'. It introduces an exception or a minor negative point after a generally positive statement.
いいアパートだけど、ただ駅から遠いだけは残念だ。
It's a nice apartment, except that it's far from the station.
Similar to を除いて, but with the topic marker は, it emphasizes the exception as the topic. Often used in formal contexts.
この問題を除いては、すべて解決した。
Except for this problem, everything has been resolved.
In English, we say 'everyone except me'. In Japanese, the word order is often 'me except everyone' (私以外の人はみんな). Be careful not to translate word-for-word.
私以外の人はみんな来ました。
Everyone except me came.
以外 (igai) is the most common and neutral way to say 'except'. のほか (no hoka) can also mean 'besides' or 'in addition to', so it can be ambiguous. Use 以外 when you want to clearly exclude something.
彼以外に誰も知らない。
No one knows except him. (clear exclusion)
彼のほかに誰か知っていますか？
Does anyone else know besides him? (ambiguous: could be 'except' or 'in addition')
The pattern 'X以外に〜ない' often translates to 'only X' or 'nothing but X'. It is a common way to express exclusivity.
彼以外に友達がいない。
I have no friends except him. / He is my only friend.
トム以外の人はみんな行った。
Everyone except Tom went.
バナナ以外の果物は全部好きです。
I like all fruits except bananas.
その店は月曜日以外は毎日開いています。
The store is open every day except Monday.