Chinese is a fascinating language with a rich history and unique grammatical structures that often differ significantly from those found in English. One of the expressions that students frequently encounter is 除了…还 (chúle…hái). This structure is used to express the idea of “in addition to” or “besides” and is a highly useful construction in both spoken and written Chinese. In this article, we will delve into the meaning, usage, and nuances of 除了…还, providing plenty of examples and explanations to help you master this essential part of Mandarin.
Understanding 除了…还
The phrase 除了 (chúle) means “except for” or “besides,” while 还 (hái) means “also” or “still.” When combined in the structure 除了…还, the meaning becomes “in addition to” or “besides.” This structure is used to indicate that something is included in addition to what was previously mentioned. Essentially, it allows the speaker to expand on a point by adding more information.
Let’s break down the components for better understanding:
– **除了** (chúle): This is a preposition that can mean “except,” “besides,” or “apart from.”
– **还** (hái): This is an adverb that means “also,” “still,” or “even.”
When used together, 除了…还 creates a phrase that can be translated as “in addition to” or “besides.”
Basic Structure
The basic structure of a sentence using 除了…还 is as follows:
除了 + [item1] + 还 + [item2]
Here, [item1] and [item2] can be nouns, verbs, or entire clauses. The structure indicates that [item2] is in addition to [item1].
Example:
除了苹果，他还买了香蕉。
Chúle píngguǒ, tā hái mǎile xiāngjiāo.
In addition to apples, he also bought bananas.
In this example, the sentence tells us that the person bought bananas in addition to apples.
Using Nouns with 除了…还
When using nouns with 除了…还, the structure is straightforward. You simply place the nouns in the appropriate slots within the structure. Here are some examples:
1. 除了数学，他还喜欢物理。
Chúle shùxué, tā hái xǐhuān wùlǐ.
Besides mathematics, he also likes physics.
2. 除了中文，她还会说法语。
Chúle zhōngwén, tā hái huì shuō fǎyǔ.
Besides Chinese, she can also speak French.
3. 除了咖啡，我还喝茶。
Chúle kāfēi, wǒ hái hē chá.
Besides coffee, I also drink tea.
In each of these sentences, 除了 introduces the first noun, and 还 introduces the additional noun.
Using Verbs with 除了…还
You can also use verbs with 除了…还 to indicate additional actions. The structure remains the same, but instead of nouns, you use verbs. Here are some examples:
1. 除了跑步，他还游泳。
Chúle pǎobù, tā hái yóuyǒng.
Besides running, he also swims.
2. 除了学习，她还工作。
Chúle xuéxí, tā hái gōngzuò.
Besides studying, she also works.
3. 除了看书，我还听音乐。
Chúle kànshū, wǒ hái tīng yīnyuè.
Besides reading, I also listen to music.
In these sentences, the verbs describe additional actions performed by the subject.
Using Clauses with 除了…还
In more complex sentences, you can use entire clauses with 除了…还. This allows for more detailed and nuanced expressions. Here are some examples:
1. 除了他不喜欢吃鱼，他还对海鲜过敏。
Chúle tā bù xǐhuān chī yú, tā hái duì hǎixiān guòmǐn.
Besides not liking to eat fish, he is also allergic to seafood.
2. 除了她每天都跑步，她还每周去健身房。
Chúle tā měitiān dōu pǎobù, tā hái měi zhōu qù jiànshēnfáng.
Besides running every day, she also goes to the gym every week.
3. 除了我喜欢这本书的故事，我还觉得它写得很好。
Chúle wǒ xǐhuān zhè běn shū de gùshì, wǒ hái juéde tā xiě de hěn hǎo.
Besides liking the story of this book, I also think it is well-written.
In these examples, entire clauses are used to provide additional information, making the sentences richer and more informative.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning to use 除了…还, students often make a few common mistakes. Here are some tips to help you avoid them:
1. **Confusing 除了…还 with 除了…都**: While 除了…还 means “in addition to,” the structure 除了…都 (chúle…dōu) means “except for.” For example:
– 除了他，大家都来了。 (Chúle tā, dàjiā dōu láile.) Except for him, everyone came.
Make sure you don’t mix these two structures, as they convey opposite meanings.
2. **Incorrect Placement of 还**: The adverb 还 should come before the verb or noun it modifies. Placing it incorrectly can confuse the meaning of the sentence.
– Incorrect: 除了她喜欢跳舞，她唱歌还。 (Chúle tā xǐhuān tiàowǔ, tā chànggē hái.)
– Correct: 除了她喜欢跳舞，她还唱歌。 (Chúle tā xǐhuān tiàowǔ, tā hái chànggē.) Besides liking to dance, she also sings.
3. **Omitting the Subject**: In some languages, subjects can be omitted if they are understood from context. However, in Chinese, it’s important to include the subject to avoid ambiguity.
– Incorrect: 除了游泳，还打篮球。 (Chúle yóuyǒng, hái dǎ lánqiú.)
– Correct: 除了他游泳，他还打篮球。 (Chúle tā yóuyǒng, tā hái dǎ lánqiú.) Besides swimming, he also plays basketball.
Practical Applications
Understanding the theoretical structure of 除了…还 is crucial, but it’s equally important to see how it is used in real-life situations. Here are some practical applications:
Daily Conversations
In everyday conversations, 除了…还 can be used to add more details and make your speech more interesting and informative. Here are some examples:
1. 除了今天有会议，下午还有一个演讲。
Chúle jīntiān yǒu huìyì, xiàwǔ hái yǒu yīgè yǎnjiǎng.
Besides having a meeting today, there is also a lecture in the afternoon.
2. 除了这家餐厅的菜好吃，服务也很好。
Chúle zhè jiā cāntīng de cài hǎo chī, fúwù yě hěn hǎo.
Besides the food being delicious at this restaurant, the service is also excellent.
Academic Context
In academic settings, you can use 除了…还 to add depth to your arguments or presentations. Here are some examples:
1. 除了这个实验的结果，我们还需要更多的数据来支持我们的假设。
Chúle zhège shíyàn de jiéguǒ, wǒmen hái xūyào gèng duō de shùjù lái zhīchí wǒmen de jiǎshè.
Besides the results of this experiment, we also need more data to support our hypothesis.
2. 除了阅读教科书，学生们还需要进行实际操作。
Chúle yuèdú jiàokēshū, xuéshēngmen hái xūyào jìnxíng shíjì cāozuò.
Besides reading textbooks, students also need to perform practical exercises.
Business Context
In business, 除了…还 can be used to present additional features or benefits of a product or service. Here are some examples:
1. 除了这个软件的基本功能，它还提供高级分析工具。
Chúle zhège ruǎnjiàn de jīběn gōngnéng, tā hái tígōng gāojí fēnxī gōngjù.
Besides the basic functions of this software, it also offers advanced analytical tools.
2. 除了我们的产品质量高，我们的售后服务也很出色。
Chúle wǒmen de chǎnpǐn zhìliàng gāo, wǒmen de shòuhòu fúwù yě hěn chūsè.
Besides the high quality of our products, our after-sales service is also excellent.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of 除了…还, here are some practice exercises. Try to construct sentences using the provided prompts.
1. (除了 + 喝咖啡 + 还 + 喝茶)
– Example: 除了喝咖啡，我还喝茶。
Chúle hē kāfēi, wǒ hái hē chá.
Besides drinking coffee, I also drink tea.
2. (除了 + 学习中文 + 还 + 学习日文)
– Example: 除了学习中文，他还学习日文。
Chúle xuéxí zhōngwén, tā hái xuéxí rìwén.
Besides studying Chinese, he also studies Japanese.
3. (除了 + 去健身房 + 还 + 跑步)
– Example: 除了去健身房，她还跑步。
Chúle qù jiànshēnfáng, tā hái pǎobù.
Besides going to the gym, she also runs.
4. (除了 + 吃水果 + 还 + 吃蔬菜)
– Example: 除了吃水果，我们还吃蔬菜。
Chúle chī shuǐguǒ, wǒmen hái chī shūcài.
Besides eating fruits, we also eat vegetables.
5. (除了 + 看电影 + 还 + 看书)
– Example: 除了看电影，我还看书。
Chúle kàn diànyǐng, wǒ hái kànshū.
Besides watching movies, I also read books.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of 除了…还 can greatly enhance your ability to express complex ideas and add depth to your sentences in Chinese. By understanding its structure, common pitfalls, and practical applications, you will be well-equipped to use this phrase effectively. Remember to practice regularly and incorporate it into your daily conversations, academic discussions, and business communications. With time and practice, using 除了…还 will become second nature, and you’ll find your Chinese language skills improving significantly. Happy learning!
