About
The character 除 is a phonosemantic compound: the left side 阝 (the "mound" radical, here suggesting steps) gives the meaning, while 余 provides the sound. Its original meaning was the stair steps of a palace or hall. From this concrete image, it shifted to the action of clearing steps, then to the general idea of removing or eliminating. It also became the standard mathematical term for division and the preposition "except".
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
除了他，我们都来了。
请删除这个文件。
排除所有可能性。
数学课上我们学习除法。
除去杂质，水变得更干净。
除此之外，我还有别的建议。
除了完成作业，他还预习了新课。
除非天气好转，否则比赛将被取消。
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