或者
waak6 ze2
The Cantonese word for "or" is 或者 (waak6 ze2).
或者 is a conjunction used to link two or more possibilities or alternatives.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between using 或者 and 定係 based on the type of sentence. Use 或者 for declarative statements to express possibilities, but use 定係 when asking a direct question that presents a choice between alternatives.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Cantonese grammar, 或者 is used to express possibilities in declarative sentences. However, it cannot be used to form a choice in a direct question.
How do you pronounce it?
waak6 ze2
Did you know?
- While 或者 means 'or' in Cantonese, in Mandarin it is frequently used as an adverb meaning 'perhaps' or 'maybe'.
- The character 者 in 或者 is a classical particle that historically functioned like 'the one who' or 'that which'.
- Because 或者 is strictly for statements, using it to ask a waiter 'Coffee or tea?' would be grammatically incorrect and would sound like you are telling them 'I might have coffee or tea'.
Examples in context
- 如果我有個好得意嘅細佬或者好型嘅阿哥就好喇。I wish I had a cute little brother or a cool older brother.This sentence shows how to use 或者 to express a wish between two alternatives.Tatoeba #6116689 by nickyeow, translation #3195515 by Tappity
- 我係用循環再造嘅塑膠整出嚟㗎。攞我去重用或者回收啦！I'm made from recycled plastic. Please reuse or recycle me!This sentence demonstrates the use of 或者 to link two different actions.Tatoeba #5738644 by nickyeow, translation #3523003 by Jesse
- 儲存嗰陣出咗錯。麻煩你試多次，或者聯絡我哋，等我哋可以記錄在案。An error occurred while saving. Please try again or contact us to report this.This sentence illustrates using 或者 to suggest two possible solutions in a statement.Tatoeba #9555957 by nickyeow, translation #1560192 by trieuho
- 142 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ka Ming and Hiu Tung are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 家明 Ka Ming我哋今晚食披薩或者食壽司好嗎？ngo5 dei6 gam1 maan5 sik6 pei3 saa1 waak6 ze2 sik6 sau6 si1 hou2 maa1?Shall we have pizza or sushi tonight?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung壽司好似唔錯，但我想食輕啲。sau6 si1 hou2 ci5 m4 co3, daan6 ngo5 soeng2 sik6 hing1 di1.Sushi sounds good, but I want something lighter.
- 家明 Ka Ming咁我哋去食沙律或者食三文魚？gam2 ngo5 dei6 heoi3 sik6 saa1 lat6 waak6 ze2 sik6 saam1 man4 jyu2?Then should we go for salad or salmon?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung食三文魚啦，好正！sik6 saam1 man4 jyu2 laa1, hou2 zing3!Let's have salmon, that's great!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
