Definition
除 (chú) as a verb means 'to remove/eliminate' — it is general, covering both physical removal and abstract elimination. Compared to more specific verbs like 排除 (pái chú, 'to rule out') and 清除 (qīng chú, 'to clear away thoroughly'), 除 is broader and also used in math for division. As a preposition in the pattern 除…以外/外, it means 'except' and is more formal than the everyday 除了 (chú le).
verb
to removeto eliminateto divide
preposition
exceptbesides (usually in 除…以外/外)
Easily confused
- 涂túlook-aliketo apply (paint, cream, etc.), to smear, to daub
- 出chūsound-aliketo go out, to come out
- 斜xiélook-alike(adjective) slanted, oblique, inclined, tilted
- 处chǔsound-aliketo reside; to be situated at (a place or situation)
- 处chùsound-alike(noun) place, location, spot
- 初chūsound-alike(prefix) first, initial, elementary (as in 初次, 初级, 初春)
- 锄chúsound-alike(noun) hoe
Examples
- 除，。chú zhōumò wài, wǒ měitiān dōu yào shàngbān.Except on weekends, I have to go to work every day.
- 。Qǐng chú diào chuānghù shàng de huīchén.Please remove the dust from the window.
- 。Shí chú yǐ wǔ děngyú èr.Ten divided by five equals two.
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