Meaning and Usage
The verb 除く (のぞく) primarily means "to exclude," "to remove," or "to except." It is commonly used when you want to indicate that something or someone is left out from a group or calculation.
Common Contexts
Excluding items or people: For example, when calculating prices or counting people, you might say 税金を除く (excluding tax) or 彼を除いて (except him).
Peeking or looking into a space: 除く can also mean "to peek" or "to look into," often used when looking through a small opening like a window or door.
Collocations and Patterns
- 税金を除く: excluding tax, used in pricing or financial contexts.
- 〜を除いて: except for ~, used to exclude a person or thing from a group.
- 窓から外を除く: to look out from a window, used literally for peeking or looking.
Register and Nuance
除く is a neutral verb suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When used to mean "peek," it often implies a quick or secretive glance.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 除く with 望む (のぞむ, to hope) due to similar readings. Also, when using 除く to mean "except," remember it requires a direct object marked with を, not が or は.