excepto
/e(ɡ)ˈθebto/
The English phrase 'except' can be translated into Spanish using several forms, primarily excepto. Wiktionary also lists salvo and menos.
Meaning: introducing a noun or noun phrase forming an exception or qualification (prep)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| excepto | /e(ɡ)ˈθebto/ /e(ɡ)ˈsebto/ |
| salvo | /ˈsalbo/ |
| menos | /ˈmenos/ |
| zafo | /ˈθafo/ /ˈsafo/ |
These words are used to introduce a noun or noun phrase that forms an exception or qualification. You may also see exceptuando used as a conjunction when introducing a non-noun complement.
Which one should you use?
In spoken Spanish, menos is very common when used with nouns or pronouns to mean 'except'. In contrast, salvo is often used in written or more formal contexts to mean 'except' or 'save for'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/e(ɡ)ˈθebto/
Did you know?
- The word menos is also used to tell time in Spanish, such as when saying 'ten minutes to five' using menos diez.
- The word salvo is a cognate of the English word 'safe'. Both derive from the Latin word for being unharmed or preserved.
- While menos means 'except' in many contexts, its primary meaning is 'less' or 'minus'. This is why it is used to subtract a person or thing from a group.
Examples in context
- Lo sabían todos menos yo.Everyone except me knew it.This sentence shows the use of menos with a pronoun.Tatoeba #651685 by Shishir, translation #262460 by CK
- Todos vinieron excepto él.Everyone came except him.This sentence shows the use of excepto with a pronoun.Tatoeba #1264465 by Shishir, translation #9741426 by DJ_Saidez
- Todos están aquí menos él.Everyone is here except for him.This sentence shows the use of menos to express an exception.Tatoeba #1815327 by Shishir, translation #392141 by CK
- Todos los empleados, salvo el gerente, deben asistir a la reunión.All employees, except the manager, must attend the meeting.
- La mayoría de los países, a excepción de Chile, celebran el Día de la Independencia en septiembre.Most countries, except for Chile, celebrate Independence Day in September.
- Todos están listos menos Juan.Everyone is ready, except Juan.
- No puedo ir a la fiesta excepto el viernes.I can't go to the party except on Friday.
- Todos estudian excepto María.Everyone studies, except María.
- Salvo que llueva, iremos al parque.Unless it rains, we will go to the park.
- 121 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Daniel are talking about their travel plans.
- MaríaHe visitaremos todas las ciudades excepto Madrid.We will visit all the cities except Madrid.
- Daniel¿Por qué no quieres ir a Madrid, María?Why don't you want to go to Madrid, Maria?
- MaríaEs demasiado cara para nuestro presupuesto.It is too expensive for our budget.
- DanielTienes razón, busquemos otras opciones.You are right, let's look for other options.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “except” translations and entries excepto, salvo, menos, zafo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries excepto, menos, salvo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
