o … o
/ˈɔ ˈɔ/word by word
The English phrase "either or" is translated into Italian as o … o.
The phrase is a correlative conjunction used to present two mutually exclusive options.
How does it change in a sentence?
The conjunction functions as a correlative pair that brackets the two options.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɔ ˈɔ/
Did you know?
- In some regional dialects of Italy, the exclusive 'either or' is expressed through different particles entirely, making the standard o… o sound very formal or academic to locals.
- While o… o expresses an exclusive choice, Italian speakers often use sia… sia to express 'both… and', creating a symmetrical linguistic mirror for inclusive options.
- In spoken Italian, the word o is often replaced by oppure to avoid the repetitive sound of o… o in long sentences, though oppure remains a synonym for 'or'.
Examples in context
- Devi prendere o uno o l'altro.You have to take either one or the other.
- La decisione è tua, puoi scegliere o questo o quello.The decision is yours, you can choose either this or that.
- O mangi la pasta o mangi la pizza.Either you eat pasta or you eat pizza.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (o) and can differ in connected speech.
