(chú fēi) - unless, only if in Mandarin
chúfēiTraditional: 除非
Translation
unless, only if
Word origin
The word 除非 combines 除 'to remove, except' with 非 'not, non-'. 除 is 阜 (mound radical) + 余 (yú) phonetic; 非 is a pictograph of two wings facing apart, used for negation. Together they express 'unless, only if'.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 除 (chú, except: 阜 mound + 余 phonetic) + 非 (fēi, not)
Stroke order
除
非
Examples
,。
Unless you apologize, I won't forgive you.
雨,。
Unless it rains, we will go hiking.
,。
He won't come unless you invite him.
雨,。
Unless it rains, we will all go.
,。
Only if you apologise will I forgive you.
除非 (chú fēi) means unless, only if. It is used as a conjunction in everyday Mandarin speech.
Where this fits
Used in
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除非: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "除非" (unless, only if): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 17.