A visual representation of an exception: four identical blue squares are lined up in a row, but one item in the center is a red circle, standing out from the pattern.

excepción

ehk-seh-PYOHN

NounfB1

exception?A case that does not follow the general rule

Also:exclusion?The act of leaving something out

📝 In Action

Todos los estudiantes deben asistir, sin excepción.

All students must attend, without exception.

La ley permite una excepción para casos de emergencia.

The law allows an exception for emergency cases.

Mi abuela es la excepción a la regla de que a nadie le gusta el brócoli.

My grandmother is the exception to the rule that nobody likes broccoli.

Word Connections

Synonyms

salvedad (caveat)
particularidad (peculiarity)

Antonyms

regla (rule)
norma (norm)

Common Collocations

hacer una excepción – to make an exception
sin excepción – without exception
a excepción de – with the exception of

Idioms & Expressions

La excepción confirma la regla. – The exception proves the rule (meaning that the existence of an exception confirms that a general rule exists).

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Remember that 'excepción' is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la' or 'una' before it: 'la excepción' (the exception).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender Error

Mistake: "El excepción"

Correction: La excepción. Even though it ends in 'n', it follows the pattern of many abstract nouns ending in '-ción' being feminine.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Except For'

To say 'except for' or 'with the exception of,' use the phrase 'a excepción de...': 'todos vinieron a excepción de Juan' (everyone came except for Juan).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: excepción

Question 1 of 1

Which phrase correctly uses 'excepción' to mean 'everyone came but Maria'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

excepto(except (preposition)) - preposition

exceptuar(to exempt or exclude (verb)) - verb

excepcional(exceptional (adjective)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'excepción' masculine or feminine?

It is feminine. Always use 'la excepción' or 'una excepción.' This follows the pattern of most Spanish nouns that end in -ción.

What is the difference between 'excepción' and 'excepto'?

'Excepción' is the noun (the thing that is excluded). 'Excepto' is usually a preposition or conjunction meaning 'except' or 'but,' used to introduce the thing being excluded: 'Todos excepto yo' (Everyone except me).