What does exception ou mean in Japanese?

“Exception” in Japanese is usually 例外 (reigai), meaning something that does not follow the normal rule or pattern.

Quick meaning

• 例外（れいがい） = exception, special case, something excluded from a rule.

• It can also mean an exception to a rule in phrases like “There are exceptions to every rule”.

Common related words

• 以外（いがい） = except, other than.

• 除く（のぞく） = to exclude, to leave out.

• 例外なく = without exception.

Example

• これは例外です。 = “This is an exception.”

• 月曜日以外は毎日営業しています。 = “We’re open every day except Monday.”

A small but important note: 例外 is the noun for “exception,” while 以外 is more like “except for” or “other than” in everyday usage.