以外
🃏 Flashcard
以外
igai
Tap to reveal usage
with the exception of; excepting
N2
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading
igai
Post ID
51024
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
with the exception of; excepting
📖 How to use it
Expresses exclusion, meaning 'with the exception of' or 'excepting'.
Attaches to
Attaches to the plain form of verbs, nouns, or な-adjective stems directly, e.g., 行く以外, 学生以外, 静か以外. For い-adjectives, attach to the plain form, e.g., 高い以外.
以外 is used to single out something that is excluded from a group or action. It is often followed by particles like は, に, を, or の depending on the sentence structure. For example, 学生以外は立ってください means 'Please stand if you are not a student.' The pattern is neutral and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese, though it may sound slightly formal in casual conversation.
彼以外は誰も知らない。
Kare igai wa dare mo shiranai.
No one knows except him.
日曜日以外は働いています。
Nichiyoubi igai wa hataraite imasu.
I work every day except Sunday.
この問題は先生以外に聞かないでください。
Kono mondai wa sensei igai ni kikanaide kudasai.
Please don't ask anyone other than the teacher about this problem.
Not を除いて（をのぞいて）
以外 is a noun meaning 'outside of', while を除いて is a phrase meaning 'excluding'. They are often interchangeable, but を除いて is slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of removal, whereas 以外 simply states the exception.
Register
Neutral; used in both spoken and written Japanese, but in casual speech it may be replaced by 以外は or 以外に with a slight formality.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
以外
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat 以外 three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using 以外. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N2 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern 以外 mean?
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With the exception of; excepting
What JLPT level is 以外?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use 以外 in a sentence?
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Attach 以外 (igai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is 以外 formal or casual Japanese?
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以外 is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember 以外 long-term?
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Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.