Fixed pattern “除了……（以外），……都/还/也……”

In Chinese, the fixed pattern 除了……（以外） (chúle ... [yǐwài]) carries two distinct meanings depending on whether it is paired with 都 (dōu) or 还/也 (hái/yě):

1. Exclusion (Except for) — 除了……都……: Excludes a specific item or person from a group and states that the rest share the same condition. It translates to “except (for)” or “apart from”.

2. Inclusion / Addition (In addition to) — 除了……还/也……: Includes the item or person and adds more items, actions, or traits on top of it. It translates to “in addition to”, “besides”, or “as well as”.

In both cases, the word 以外 (yǐwài) is optional and can be omitted.

Grammar Structure

Exclusion: 除了 + A + （以外）, (Rest of group) + 都 + Verb / Adjective Inclusion: 除了 + A + （以外）, (Subject) + 还 / 也 + Verb

Examples

除(Chú)了(le)我(wǒ)以(yǐ)外(wài)，大(dà)家(jiā)都(dōu)在(zài)玩(wán)手(shǒu)机(jī)。

Except for me, everyone is on their phone.

除(Chú)了(le)这(zhè)个(ge)汉(hàn)字(zì)，别(bié)的(de)汉(hàn)字(zì)我(wǒ)都(dōu)会(huì)写(xiě)。

Except for this Chinese character, I can write all the other characters.

除(Chú)了(le)这(zhè)个(ge)行(xíng)李(li)箱(xiāng)以(yǐ)外(wài)，还(hái)有(yǒu)别(bié)的(de)东(dōng)西(xi)吗(ma)？

Besides this suitcase, do you have any other luggage?

除(Chú)了(le)唱(chàng)歌(gē)以(yǐ)外(wài)，他(tā)也(yě)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)跳(tiào)舞(wǔ)。

In addition to singing, he also likes dancing.

Important Note

Key difference between 都 (dōu) vs. 还 (hái) / 也 (yě): 除了 A 都…… = A is excluded from the main clause. 除了 A 还/也…… = A is included in the main clause, and extra items or actions are added. 以外 (yǐwài) can be omitted in everyday speech without affecting the meaning (e.g., “除了这个汉字，别的汉字我都会写”). Subject placement in addition sentences: The subject should be placed either at the beginning of the sentence or directly before 还 / 也 (e.g., in Example 4: “除了……，他也……”).