以外
igai[iɡa̠i]
The Japanese phrase for "apart from" is 以外, pronounced igai.
以外 is used to exclude a specific noun from a group or a general rule.
Meaning: except for (prep)
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify 以外 with particles to change its function in a sentence. Adding the particle は to create 以外は allows you to emphasize the exception. Using the particle に to create 以外に is common when the exception serves as the object of a following verb or question, meaning "besides [someone/something]." Finally, when you want to refer to "things other than" or "other matters" apart from a specific topic, you can use the phrase 以外のこと.
How do you pronounce it?
igai
Did you know?
- When used to exclude a person, 以外 can sound clinical or cold, potentially implying that the individual is an outsider or unwelcome.
- Japanese legal documents often use 以外 to create 'negative definitions', defining a category by listing everything that it specifically is not.
- In Japanese, the concept of 'apart from' is visualized as being physically 'outside' the boundary of a group, as seen in the kanji 外 which means 'outside'.
Examples in context
- お前以外に、誰がやるんだ？Apart from you, who will do it?This sentence shows how to use 以外 to ask who else will perform an action besides a specific person.Tatoeba #12829709 by small_snow, translation #13694291 by terrywallwork
- 神は創造者です。天も地も人も、神以外は全て被造物です。God is the creator. Heaven and Earth and people and everything apart from God are created.This sentence uses 以外 to differentiate the creator from all other created things.Tatoeba #74279 by fcbond, translation #329441 by fcbond
- かなり実戦的ですわよね。目つぶし、金的、それに倒れた者への攻撃以外は、ほとんどＯＫとか・・・。It's geared pretty much towards real fighting isn't it? Apart from the eyes, crotch, and attacks against fallen opponents just about anything goes …This sentence uses 以外 to list specific actions that are excluded from a general rule.Tatoeba #75443 by fcbond, translation #328275 by fcbond
- 日本には、キリスト教を除いて、さまざまな宗教が存在しています。Apart from Christianity, various religions exist in Japan.
- この商品には、それ以外にも多くの利点があります。Apart from that, this product has many other advantages.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about their food preferences.
- 陽太 Yota美咲は、嫌いな食べ物がある？Misaki wa, kiraina tabemono ga aru?Misaki, is there any food you hate?
- 美咲 Misaki納豆以外は、何でも食べられるよ。Nattō igai wa, nandemo taberareru yo.Apart from natto, I can eat anything.
- 陽太 Yota意外だね。納豆が苦手なんだ。Igai da ne. Nattō ga nigate nanda.That's surprising. I'm not good with natto.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太もそうなの？Yōta mo sō nano?You too, Yota?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “apart from” translations and entries 以外, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
