Definition
例外 (lì wài) means 'exception' — something that breaks a rule or pattern. As a noun, it contrasts with 特例 (tè lì), which is a 'special case' that may still follow a different rule, not necessarily an exception. As a verb, 例外 means 'to be treated as an exception', while 破例 (pò lì) is the deliberate act of making an exception.
noun
exceptionsomething that does not follow the norm
verb
to be an exceptionto be treated as an exception
Examples
- ，例外。Jīntiān xià dàyǔ, shàngbān chídào kěyǐ lì wài yí cì.It's raining heavily today, so being late for work can be treated as an exception this once.
- ，例外。Jīhū suǒyǒu rén dōu kǎo guò le, zhǐyǒu tā shì lì wài.Almost everyone passed the exam; only he is an exception.
- ，例外。Gōngsī guīdìng hěn yángé, zhège qǐngqiú bù néng lì wài.The company rules are very strict; this request cannot be an exception.
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