connective N3 common politewritten
または — or
または
Meaning
- or / alternatively — a formal conjunction offering an exclusive choice between options
Key sentence
黒または青のペンで書いてください。
Please write in black or blue pen.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun または Noun (also phrases/clauses) | A または B | 電話またはメールで (by phone or email) |
Examples
申込みは郵送またはオンラインで受け付けます。
Applications are accepted by mail or online.
保護者または本人の署名が必要です。
The signature of a guardian or the person themselves is required.
When you can't use it
- Formal and largely written — used in instructions, forms, and documents, usually for an exclusive 'pick one.' In casual speech use か, or それとも between question alternatives.
Easily confused with
Notes
- それとも is the spoken 'or' between question alternatives (コーヒー、それとも紅茶?); あるいは is another formal written 'or.'
See または in real sentences
Jengo shows または the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar, A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar.