Conditional StatementsHSK 5
Expressing "unless" with 除非
Use 除非 to introduce a condition that must be met for a previous statement to be true or to happen. The condition follows the result or fact, usually separated by a comma, and the condition itself is emphasized. The result statement is often negative.
Structure
Fact/Result ，除非 + Condition
emphasis on the condition after 除非
Examples
- 我不去，除非你也去。Wǒ bù qù, chúfēi nǐ yě qù.I won't go unless you go too.
- 你不能进，除非你有预约。Nǐ bù néng jìn, chúfēi nǐ yǒu yùyuē.You can't come in unless you have an appointment.
- 我不说，除非你答应我你不会生气。Wǒ bù shuō, chúfēi nǐ dāyìng wǒ nǐ bù huì shēngqì.I won't tell you unless you promise me you won't get upset.
- 你不会这么快升职，除非你表现很好。Nǐ bù huì zhème kuài shēngzhí, chúfēi nǐ biǎoxiàn hěn hǎo.You won't get promoted so soon unless you perform very well.
- 我们公司一般不允许员工请假，除非理由很充分。Wǒmen gōngsī yībān bù yǔnxǔ yuángōng qǐngjià, chúfēi lǐyóu hěn chōngfèn.The company won't allow its staff time off unless they have a really good reason.