さもなければ

さもなければ
conjunction
otherwise; or else; if not
formalgrammatical
1. otherwise; or else; if not
Introduces what will happen if the action just mentioned is not taken. The formal, written counterpart of さもないと, common in notices, instructions, and literary prose.
今(いま)出(で)なさい。さもなければ遅(おく)れます。
Leave now. Otherwise you will be late.
期日(きじつ)までに支払(しはら)ってください。さもなければ契約(けいやく)は解除(かいじょ)されます。
Please pay by the due date. Otherwise the contract will be terminated.
制度(せいど)そのものを見直(みなお)す必要(ひつよう)がある。さもなければ、同(おな)じ問題(もんだい)が何度(なんど)でも繰(く)り返(かえ)されるだろう。
The system itself needs to be reviewed. Otherwise, the same problem will be repeated again and again.

さ (so) + も + なければ (the conditional of ない): literally "if it is not so."

Common patterns

[instruction or requirement]。さもなければ [unwanted consequence]。

Register

Formal and written. In speech, さもないと sounds dramatic but natural, while そうしないと and じゃないと are the everyday choices. さもなければ appears mostly in official notices, contracts, and translated literature.

Similar words

  • さもないと: the same meaning, slightly less formal
  • でなければ: if not — attaches to a noun or clause rather than standing alone
  • そうしないと: if you don't do that — neutral and conversational

Related Words

Related: さもないと (otherwise; or else)
Compare: そうしないと (if you don't do that)
Compare: でないと (otherwise)
general
Added 2026.8.16 15:19 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
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