除非 (chú fēi) — unless; only if, only in the case that
Definition
除非 introduces the sole condition on which something will happen (often paired with 否则/不然 for the consequence), closer to 'only if' than to 如果 ('if' in general). 唯有 is a more formal, written equivalent.
conjunction
unlessonly ifonly in the case that
Examples
- 除非，。chú fēi Nǐ tóng yì, fǒu zé wǒ bú huì qù.Unless you agree, I won't go.
- 除非，。chú fēi Xià yǔ, wǒ men cái huì gǎi biàn jì huà.Only if it rains will we change the plan.
- 除非，。chú fēi Tā dào qiàn, bù rán wǒ bú huì yuán liàng tā.Unless he apologizes, I won't forgive him.
Grammar
Appears in
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