otherwise; or else; or
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesconjunction
otherwise; or else
Used to present a negative consequence of not following a previous suggestion or condition. Equivalent to '否则' but slightly more conversational.
Wǒ我
men们
děi得
kuài快
diǎn点
zǒu走
，
yào要
bù不
rán然
jiù就
yào要
chí迟
dào到
le了
。
We have to walk faster, otherwise we'll be late.
Nǐ你
zuì最
hǎo好
xiàn现
zài在
chī吃
yào药
，
yào要
bù不
rán然
wǎn晚
shang上
huì会
fā发
shāo烧
。
You'd better take the medicine now, or else you'll have a fever tonight.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Bǎ把
chuāng窗
hu户
guān关
hǎo好
，
yào要
bù不
rán然
wén蚊
zi子
huì会
fēi飞
jìn进
lái来
。
Close the window properly, or mosquitoes will fly in.
conjunction
or; or how about
informalUsed to introduce an alternative suggestion or choice in a question or statement. Often used in spoken Chinese to make suggestions more tentative or polite.
Wǒ我
men们
qù去
kàn看
diàn电
yǐng影
ba吧
，
yào要
bù不
rán然
qù去
guàng逛
jiē街
yě也
xíng行
。
Let's go watch a movie, or (if you prefer) we could go shopping.
Jīn今
tiān天
chī吃
huǒ火
guō锅
hǎo好
bù不
hǎo好
？
yào要
bù不
rán然
wǒ我
men们
diǎn点
wài外
mài卖
？
How about having hot pot today? Or shall we order takeout?
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Nǐ你
kě可
yǐ以
zuò坐
dì地
tiě铁
lái来
，
yào要
bù不
rán然
wǒ我
kāi开
chē车
qù去
jiē接
nǐ你
。
You can take the subway here, or I can come pick you up.