The french word sauf functions primarily as a preposition or an adjective. Its core meaning is “except” or “save for,” indicating an exclusion. It can also mean “safe” or “unharmed” when used as an adjective.

Sauf as a preposition meaning “except” or “but”

This is the most common use. Sauf introduces an exception to a general statement.

General exclusion

• Tout le monde est arrivé, sauf Paul. (Everyone has arrived, except Paul.)
• Le magasin est ouvert tous les jours sauf le lundi. (The shop is open every day except Monday.)
• J’aime tous les légumes sauf les épinards. (I like all vegetables except spinach.)

With infinitive meaning “unless” or “except to”

• Ne touchez à rien, sauf à appeler la police. (Don’t touch anything, except to call the police.)
• Il ne fait rien, sauf regarder la télévision. (He does nothing except watch television.)

In fixed legal or formal expressions

• Sauf erreur de ma part (Unless I am mistaken)
• Sauf avis contraire (Unless you hear otherwise / Unless advised to the contrary)
• Sauf imprévu (Barring any unforeseen problems)

Synonyms or alternatives for this use

• À l’exception de (with the exception of)
• Excepté (excepted)
• Hormis (apart from, save for)

Sauf as a conjunction meaning “unless”

In this construction, sauf is followed by si or que to form a conditional clause meaning “unless.”

With sauf si (common)

• Je viendrai, sauf s’il pleut. (I will come, unless it rains.)
• C’est interdit, sauf si vous avez une autorisation. (It is forbidden, unless you have authorization.)

With sauf que (less common, introduces a factual objection)

• Le projet est bon, sauf qu’il coûte trop cher. (The project is good, except that it costs too much.)
• C’était pareil, sauf que cette fois j’avais peur. (It was the same, except that this time I was scared.)

Synonyms or alternatives for this use

• À moins que (+ subjunctive) (unless)
• À condition que (+ subjunctive) (provided that)

Sauf as an adjective meaning “safe” or “unharmed”

This use is less frequent and often has a formal or literary tone. It describes a state of being free from harm or danger.

Examples as an adjective

• Les passagers sont tous sains et saufs. (The passengers are all safe and sound.)
• Il est arrivé sain et sauf à destination. (He arrived at his destination safe and sound.)
• Les documents sont saufs. (The documents are safe.)

Synonyms or alternatives for this use

• En sécurité (safe)
• Indemne (unharmed)

Summary

The word sauf has three primary functions.

• As a preposition, it means “except” or “save for” (tout le monde sauf lui).
• As a conjunction with si or que, it means “unless” or “except that” (sauf s’il vient).
• As an adjective, it means “safe” or “unharmed,” most often in the phrase sain et sauf.