ceoi4 liu5除了
Jyutpingceoi4 liu5
Yalechèuih líuh
Definition
Except for, besides, or in addition to.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
This term is the standard way to express exclusion or exception in spoken Cantonese. It is almost always paired with 仲有 or 之外 to complete the logical structure of the sentence. While it functions similarly to the English besides, it carries a slightly stronger sense of isolating a specific item from a group.
Related words
Common phrases
apart from... (also)
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use the written form 除了 in casual speech, but native speakers exclusively use the colloquial pronunciation and character 除咗. Using the written version will sound unnatural and overly formal in daily conversation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
