若(も)しくは

もしくは
conjunction
or, otherwise (formal)
formallegalgrammatical
1. or, otherwise
Formal conjunction presenting alternatives, used primarily in legal, official, and written contexts.
電話(でんわ)若(も)しくはメールでご連絡(れんらく)ください。
Please contact us by phone or email.
本人(ほんにん)若(も)しくは代理人(だいりにん)が申請(しんせい)できます。
The applicant or their representative may apply.
罰金(ばっきん)若(も)しくは禁固刑(きんこけい)に処(しょ)する。
Punishable by fine or imprisonment.
現金(げんきん)若(も)しくはクレジットカードでお支払(しはら)いいただけます。
You may pay by cash or credit card.

Register: Formal/written. Common in:

  • Legal documents
  • Official forms and notices
  • Terms and conditions
  • Formal instructions

FORMALITY SCALE ("or"):

  • か: neutral, everyday
  • または: formal, written
  • 若(も)しくは: very formal, legal
  • あるいは: formal, with a nuance of possibility

Hierarchical usage: In legal Japanese:

  • 若(も)しくは: connects items within a group (the smaller "or")
  • または: connects groups (the larger "or")

Example

A若(も)しくはBまたはC若(も)しくはD
= (A or B) OR (C or D)

Kanji note: The kanji written here normally carries the meaning "young" (若(わか)い), but in 若(も)しくは it is ateji — a purely phonetic use with no connection to youth.

Everyday alternative: In normal speech and writing, use か or または instead.

Related Words

Related: または (or (the larger "or" in legal hierarchy))
Related: あるいは (or, or perhaps (formal))
Related: か (or (everyday particle))
Compare: 乃至(ないし) (from... to...)
general
Added 2026.1.18 19:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:05
06500/06924_moshikuha