Affirmative Exceptions with إلا
To express an exception in Arabic, use the word إلا (except).
In a positive (affirmative) sentence, simply make your general statement, add إلا, and follow it with the specific person or thing being excluded. You will frequently see it paired with inclusive words like جميع (all/everyone) or كل (every/all).
| Everyone ate the meat except the vegetarian. | تناول الجميع اللحم إلا النباتي.tanâwala al-jamîu al-lahma illâ an-nabâtiyya |
| The vegetarian eats everything except meat. | يأكل النباتي كل شيء إلا اللحم.ya'kulu an-nabâtiyyu kulla shay'in illâ al-lahma |
Discussing Dietary Restrictions
This grammar structure is highly practical when discussing a food allergy (حساسية) or dietary habits, such as what you avoid (تجنب) or what you are able to consume.
| I avoid all nuts except almonds. | أتجنب كل المكسرات إلا اللوز.atajannabu kulla al-mukassarâti illâ al-lawza |
| I have an allergy to everything except honey. | عندي حساسية من كل شيء إلا العسل.'indî hasâsiyyatun min kulli shay'in illâ al-'asala. |
You can apply the exact same pattern to talk about broader categories like products (منتجات) or specific ingredients.
| I eat all the products except fava beans. | أتناول كل المنتجات إلا الفول.atanâwalu kulla al-muntajâti illâ al-fûla. |
| We have bought all the products except honey. | قد اشترينا كل المنتجات إلا العسل.qadishtarainâ kulla l-muntajâti illâ l-'asal |
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