… 말고는
… malgoneun
The English phrase 'except' can be translated into Korean using several forms, most commonly … 말고는 (… malgoneun). Wiktionary also lists … 외에는 (… oeeneun) and …을 빼면 (…eul ppaemyeon).
Meaning: introducing a noun or noun phrase forming an exception or qualification (prep)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| … 말고는 | … malgoneun |
| … 외에는 | … oeeneun |
| …을 빼면 | …eul ppaemyeon |
These expressions are used to introduce a noun or noun phrase that forms an exception or a qualification to a statement.
What does it mean word for word?
The form … 말고는 is a combination of 말고, meaning 'other than' or 'not' and the particle 는, which adds emphasis or contrast. The form …을 빼면 combines the verb 빼다, meaning 'to subtract' or 'to exclude', with the conditional suffix -면, meaning 'if' or 'when'.
Which one should you use?
… 말고는 is more commonly used in everyday spoken conversation than the more formal … 외에는. …을 빼면 literally means 'if you subtract/exclude…' and is often used when discussing specific items or people from a group.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using … 말고는, the preceding noun is typically attached directly to the form without a particle like 을/를.
How do you pronounce it?
… malgoneun
Did you know?
- The word 빼다 in …을 빼면 is the same verb used to describe taking a tooth out or removing a plug from a socket.
- The particle 을 used in the phrase …을 빼면 is also used in Korean contracts to designate 'Party B', the obligated party.
- The phrase … 외에는 uses the character 外, which means 'outside'. This frames the exception as something existing 'outside' the boundaries of a given group.
Examples in context
- 모든 사람을 제외하고 일부 사람만 남아 있습니다.Everyone is gone, except a few people.
- 다른 색상을 제외하고 파란색만 남겼어요.I kept only the blue color, except for other colors.
- 과자 말고 과일 좀 사와.Buy some fruits, instead of snacks.
- 우유가 아닌 물을 주세요.Please give me water, not milk.
- 엄마 말고 다른 사람은 싫어.I dislike anyone but my mom.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “except” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 을, CC BY-SA 4.0.
