Translation and Meaning of: 除く - nozoku

The Japanese word 除く (のぞく) is a verb that carries important meanings for those studying the language or interested in Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses in everyday life, as well as understand how it is perceived by native speakers. If you have already come across this expression in texts, animes, or conversations, you will discover here how to apply it correctly.

Meaning and usage of 除く (のぞく)

The verb 除く has the main translations "exclude," "remove," or "except." It is often used to indicate that something or someone is being left out of a group, situation, or condition. For example, in rules or lists, this word appears to specify exceptions.

In addition to its literal meaning, 除く can also convey the idea of removing an obstacle or solving a problem. Its usage is common in both formal language and daily conversation, making it a versatile expression for Japanese learners.

Origin and composition of kanji

The kanji 除 is composed of the radical 阝 (which indicates a relation to hills or slopes) and 余 (which suggests excess or surplus). This combination reflects the idea of "separating" or "setting aside," reinforcing the main meaning of the word. The etymology traces back to classical Chinese, where the character already carried nuances of exclusion.

It is worth noting that 除く is not a rare term – it frequently appears in newspapers, official documents, and even in informal dialogues. Its kun'yomi reading (のぞく) is more common than the on'yomi (ジョ), which usually appears in compounds like 除外 (じょがい, exclusion).

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to solidify 除く is to associate it with everyday situations where we need to make exceptions. Think of phrases like "everyone, except him" (彼を除いて) or "excluding holidays" (祝日を除いて). This type of context helps internalize the verb.

Another useful curiosity: in some regional dialects, such as Osaka's, the pronunciation may vary slightly, but the meaning remains identical. Also, pay attention to false cognates – 除く has no relation to "nozoku" (覗く), which means "to peek.".

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 除く

除く base form
除いた Simple past
除いて present continuous
除かない negative

Synonyms and similar words

除外する (Jogai suru) - Exclude, leave out, usually in contexts of selection or exclusion of items.
取り除く (Tori nozoku) - Remove, take something out of a place, emphasis on the action of bringing something out.
排除する (Haijo suru) - Elimination, generally used in contexts of exclusion and removal of something unwanted.
削除する (Sakujo suru) - Delete, remove, often used in contexts related to files or data.
除去する (Jokyo suru) - Removal, commonly used in contexts involving the removal of obstacles or impurities.