それとも

それとも
conjunction
or, or else
1. or, or else
Used to present an alternative option, typically in questions.
Would you like coffee, or would you like tea?
Will you go by train, or will you go by car?
Shall we meet today, or shall we make it tomorrow?
Would you like meat, or would you like fish? Please choose whichever you prefer.
Shall we go see a movie, or shall we relax at home? The weather is bad, so it might be better to stay home.

USAGE:
それとも is used between two options in questions to offer an alternative. It connects two complete question clauses.

PATTERN:
Option A + 、それとも + Option B +

COMPARISON:

  • それとも: or (in questions, between two alternatives)
  • または: or (formal, in statements or questions)
  • あるいは: or, possibly (formal, literary)
  • : or (simple alternative marker)

NOTE:
それとも is primarily used in questions. For statements, use または or あるいは.