sauf
/sof/
In French, 'except' is translated as sauf. Wiktionary also lists excepté and à l'exception de.
Meaning: introducing a noun or noun phrase forming an exception or qualification (prep)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| sauf | /sof/ |
| excepté | /ɛk.sɛp.te/ |
| à l'exception de | /a l‿ɛk.sɛp.sjɔ̃ də/ |
| hormis | /ɔʁ.mi/ |
The various forms are used to introduce a noun or noun phrase that forms an exception or qualification. If you wish to introduce a non-noun complement as an exception, you should use si ce n'est. To express the verb 'to exclude', you can use excepter or faire une exception pour.
Which one should you use?
Sauf is the most versatile and frequently used word for 'except' in everyday spoken and written French. À l'exception de means 'with the exception of' and is a more formal way to say except compared to the common sauf. Hormis is more literary or formal than the standard sauf.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When excepté is used as a preposition at the beginning of a phrase, it is often used in formal or administrative contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
/sof/
Did you know?
- The word sauf is a linguistic relative of the English word 'safe'. Both come from the Latin salvus, meaning 'healthy' or 'unharmed'.
- While sauf is used for exceptions, the French also use the word sauvegarde for 'backup' or 'safeguarding', sharing the same root of preservation.
Examples in context
- Nous allâmes tous, sauf lui.All of us, except him, went.This sentence demonstrates the use of sauf to indicate an exception in a group.Tatoeba #467383 by sacredceltic, translation #466241 by CK
- Tout le monde a ri, sauf Tom.Except for Tom, everyone laughed.This sentence shows how to use sauf to exclude a specific person from an action.Tatoeba #4832988 by sicerabibax, translation #3109683 by CK
- Tout le monde a ri, sauf moi.Everyone laughed except for me.This sentence uses sauf to express an exception regarding the speaker.Tatoeba #11730546 by lbdx, translation #8585440 by CK
- Je peux inviter tout le monde à ma fête, à l'exception de Pierre.I can invite everyone to my party except Pierre.
- J'ai répondu à toutes les questions, mis à part celle-ci.I answered all the questions, except this one.
- 120 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Léa are discussing their weekend plans.
- HugoJe suis libre tout le week-end, sauf dimanche.I am free all weekend, except Sunday.
- LéaC'est parfait, on peut sortir samedi alors.That's perfect, we can go out Saturday then.
- HugoD'accord, sauf s'il pleut trop.Okay, except if it rains too much.
- LéaOn ira au cinéma dans ce cas, Hugo.We will go to the cinema in that case, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “except” translations and entries sauf, excepté, à l'exception de, hormis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, hormis, sauf, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
