кроме vs без
krome vs bez — except/besides vs without
Register: neutral
What it really means
Кроме means except for or besides, separating an item from a set or adding it. Без means without, expressing absence or lack.
Both take genitive, but кроме compares membership while без describes what is missing.
Examples in natural speech
Все пришли, кроме Иры.
Everyone came except Ira.
Кроме русского, он знает польский.
Besides Russian, he knows Polish.
Кроме шуток, это важно.
Seriously, this is important.
Я пью чай без сахара.
I drink tea without sugar.
Без тебя будет скучно.
It will be boring without you.
Common mistakes
Do not use без for “except”: кроме меня, not без меня. Both require genitive forms.
Memory tip
Кроме excludes or adds an item; без removes it entirely.
Frequently asked questions
What case follows кроме?
Genitive.
How do I say “without money”?
Без денег.
Can кроме mean besides?
Yes.
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