または
または
conjunction
or
1.
or, otherwise
Used to present an alternative or choice between options.
コーヒーまたは紅茶をお選びください。
Please choose coffee or tea.
電話またはメールでご連絡ください。
Please contact us by phone or email.
月曜日または火曜日に来てください。
Please come on Monday or Tuesday.
黒または白のペンを使ってください。
Please use a black or white pen.
質問がある方は、電話またはメールでお問い合わせください。
If you have questions, please contact us by phone or email.
または is a conjunction meaning "or," used to present alternatives. It is more formal than か and typical of written language, announcements, and official documents.
KANJI:
Can also be written as 又は, though hiragana is more common.
WAYS TO SAY "OR" IN JAPANESE:
- または: formal, connects nouns or clauses (written/spoken)
- あるいは: formal, similar to または but slightly more literary
- か: casual, versatile (AかB)
- それとも: used in questions offering a choice (Aですか、それともBですか)
- もしくは: very formal, legal/official documents
USAGE NOTES:
- Connects nouns: コーヒーまたは紅茶
- Connects clauses: 電話で連絡する、または直接来る
- Does not typically start a sentence in formal writing