Meaning of 例外
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- exception
- to be an exception
How to use 例外
例外 works as a noun, often in 没有例外 (no exceptions) or 也不例外 (is no exception either). As a verb it means to be an exception, usually in negative statements. Example: 每个人都要参加，你也不例外。 (Měi gè rén dōu yào cānjiā, nǐ yě bú lìwài.) Everyone has to take part, and you are no exception.
例 (lì) means an example or a rule, and 外 (wài) means outside. Something that falls outside the example or rule is an exception.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes mix up 例外 (exception) with 以外 (yǐwài, apart from). 以外 sits after a noun to mean 'besides' or 'other than', as in 他以外 (apart from him), while 例外 names the exception itself. Both syllables of 例外 are fourth tone, so do not soften 例 into a rising tone.
例外 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
例 lì · precedent · 8 strokes
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外 wài · outside · 5 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 例外.
| 外国 | wàiguó | foreign country |
| 国外 | guó wài | abroad; external (affairs) |
| 外边 | wàibian | outside; outer surface |
| 外语 | wàiyǔ | foreign language |
| 以外 | yǐwài | apart from; other than |
| 例如 | lìrú | for example; for instance; such as |
| 例子 | lìzi | case; (for) instance |
| 外卖 | wàimài | (of a restaurant) to provide a takeout or home delivery meal; takeout (business) |
| 外地 | wàidì | parts of the country other than where one is |
| 外面 | wàimiàn | outside (also pr. [wai4 mian5] for this sense); surface |
| 另外 | lìngwài | additional; in addition |
| 意外 | yìwài | unexpected; accident |
Questions about 例外
What does 例外 mean?
例外 (lìwài) means "exception; to be an exception" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 例外?
例外 is made of 2 characters: 例 (8 strokes), 外 (5 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 例外 an HSK word?
Yes. 例外 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How do I say 'with no exceptions' in Chinese?
You can say 没有例外 (méiyǒu lìwài) or 无一例外 (wú yī lìwài). The second is more formal and common in writing, as in 学生无一例外都通过了 (every student, without exception, passed).
How do I say 'make an exception' in Chinese?
A common phrase is 破例 (pòlì), meaning to break the usual rule, as in 这次我破例让你进去 (this time I will make an exception and let you in). You can also say 算是个例外 (count it as an exception).