または
matawa
The Japanese phrase for "or" is または (matawa).
または is a conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives.
Which one should you use?
While または connects alternatives, it is more rigid and formal than the spoken particle か, which is used frequently in daily conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
または is a formal way to express "or" and is primarily used in formal contexts, such as written instructions, legal documents, technical manuals or official announcements. In casual spoken Japanese, the particle か is much more common than または for expressing "or" between two options. Additionally, もしくは is a formal way to say "or" that is commonly used in written and formal contexts such as legal documents, contracts or academic papers.
How do you pronounce it?
matawa
Did you know?
- In formal Japanese legal writing, the hierarchy between または and もしくは is strictly defined to prevent ambiguity. A writer must use または for the primary options and もしくは for the sub-options within those categories.
- While English uses 'or' to link almost any two concepts, in Japanese, using the formal または to offer a choice in a casual setting, like at a restaurant, can make you sound like a legal textbook or a robot.
- The formal または is composed of また meaning 'also' and the particle は which creates a topic or contrast, reflecting how 'or' is conceptualized as an 'additional' option.
Examples in context
- 一日または二日ください。Give me a day or two.The sentence is useful for expressing a quantity like "a day or two" using または.Tatoeba #8672817 by small_snow, translation #3151554 by CK
- ユーザー名またはパスワードが間違っています。Either your user name or password is incorrect.The sentence is useful for stating that one of two options, such as a user name or password, is incorrect using または.Tatoeba #3551547 by tommy_san, translation #3583336 by mikecash
- 飛行機事故のほとんどが着陸または離陸時に起こるそうだ。They say most airplane accidents occur at landing or takeoff stages.The sentence is useful for describing when certain events occur, such as landing or takeoff, using または.Tatoeba #8995425 by small_snow, translation #567061 by sacredceltic
- ご返信の方法は、電子メールで、もしくはお電話でお願いいたします。Please reply by email or phone.
- この本は、大学図書館で借りるか、またはオンラインで購入できます。You can borrow this book from the university library or purchase it online.
- ピザか寿司か、何が食べたい？Do you want to eat pizza or sushi?
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 美咲 Misakiパスタまたはピザにしましょうか。Pasuta matawa piza ni shimashō ka.Shall we have pasta or pizza?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいですね。僕はピザがいいです。Ii desu ne. Boku wa piza ga ii desu.Sounds good. I want pizza.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、デリバリーまたは店に行きましょう。Jā, deribarī matawa mise ni ikimashō.Then, let's order delivery or go to the shop.
- 大翔 Hiroto店に行きましょう！Mise ni ikimashō!Let's go to the shop!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry または, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
