außer
except
As a preposition with the dative that indicates an exception; 'excluding'.
EXAMPLE
Alle waren da, außer meiner Schwester.
Everyone was there except my sister.
außer
except / besides
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Meanings
außer Betrieb
out of service
The fixed expression means that a device or facility is not working or is not in use.
EXAMPLE
Der Fahrstuhl ist leider außer Betrieb.
Unfortunately, the elevator is out of service.
außer sich sein
beside oneself
An idiomatic expression meaning that someone is overwhelmed by strong emotions, such as anger, joy, or worry.
EXAMPLE
Er war außer sich vor Freude, als er die Nachricht hörte.
He was beside himself with joy when he heard the news.
außer
except
As a conjunction, often in the form 'außer dass' (except that) or 'außer wenn' (except if/unless), to introduce a limitation or condition.
EXAMPLE
Ich komme gerne mit, außer wenn es regnet.
I'd be happy to come along, except if it rains.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word 'außer' (except/outside) is derived from 'aus' (out) and originally means 'outside'. This origin helps explain its main meaning of 'excluded' or 'not included'.
EXAMPLE
Alle sind im Haus, außer dem Hund, der ist draußen im Garten.
Everyone is in the house except the dog; it's outside in the garden.
Always with dative
When 'außer' (except) is used as a preposition to name an exception, the following noun or pronoun is always in the dative. This is a fixed rule.
EXAMPLE
Außer dir kann mir niemand helfen.
No one except you can help me.
Fixed expression
The expression 'außer Betrieb' (out of service) is used for technical devices, machines, or facilities that temporarily do not work or cannot be used.
EXAMPLE
Die Rolltreppe ist schon wieder außer Betrieb.
The escalator is out of service again.
Strong emotions
The idiom 'außer sich sein' (to be beside oneself) describes a state of extreme emotional agitation. The reason is often given with 'vor' + dative.
EXAMPLE
Sie war außer sich vor Wut, als sie die Lüge entdeckte.
She was beside herself with anger when she discovered the lie.
Sentence structure as a conjunction
As a conjunction, 'außer' (except) introduces a subordinate clause, often with 'dass' or 'wenn'. 'Außer dass' (except that) introduces a subordinate clause with the verb at the end, while 'außer wenn' (except if/unless) formulates a condition.
EXAMPLE
Ich weiß nichts über ihn, außer dass er in Berlin wohnt.
I know nothing about him, except that he lives in Berlin.
Compare with
außer vs ohne
without
„Ohne“ focuses on the absence of a person or thing. „Außer“, by contrast, names a person or thing as an exception to a group or general statement. If Anna is absent, both can work, but „ohne Anna“ describes the absence, while „außer Anna“ describes the exception.
außer
Alle Gäste kamen außer Anna zur Feier.
All the guests came to the party except Anna.
ohne
Alle Gäste kamen ohne Anna zur Feier.
All the guests came to the party without Anna.
In real life
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