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es sei denn

unless; except if

conjunction es ZAY DEN Rare
Communication Expressions

Also means

provided that … not

Usage Note

Es sei denn introduces an exception — 'unless': Ich komme, es sei denn, es regnet. It is a fixed subjunctive construction (sei = Konjunktiv I of sein) and is used across all registers. It almost always appears clause-finally or after the main clause, distinguishing it from English 'unless' which typically comes first.

Examples

"Wir fangen pünktlich an, es sei denn, es gibt technische Probleme."

Natural Translation

We start on time unless there are technical problems.

Literal Translation

We start punctually, it be then, there are technical problems.

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