How to say "except" in Spanish
Menos
To say "except" in Spanish we can use invariable word "menos" [lit: minus/less]. It is generally followed by a noun, a pronoun, or a demonstrative but it also admits other combinations.
Have a look a these examples:
Notice how in the last example, in Spanish we use the subject pronouns, unlike in English where the object pronouns are used. It would be incorrect to say "Todos fuman menos me."
Everyone smokes except me.
Todos menos yo fuman. / Todos fuman menos yo.
Todos menos yo fuman. / Todos fuman menos yo.
Notice that the order can be altered without any change of meaning.
Excepto and salvo
"Menos" is the most commonly used, but "excepto" or "salvo" can also be used,
Todos fuman excepto yo. / Todos fuman salvo yo.
Excepto que.../ salvo que... = except that...
However, to express "except that + sentence" we tend to use "excepto que" or "salvo que", rather than "menos que". Have a look:
Las vacaciones han sido fabulosas, excepto que hemos tenido un poco de lluvia.The holidays were fabulous except that we had a bit of rain.
Las vacaciones han sido fabulosas, salvo que hemos tenido un poco de lluvia.The holidays were fabulous except that we had a bit of rain.
Las vacaciones han sido fabulosas, menos que hemos tenido un poco de lluvia.
Here are other examples:
Notice in the last example, that "menos" can also be followed by a preposition (menos en la piscina).
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