JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N4 grammar · Chapter 20

または

Present alternatives in formal language

You'll be able to connect two choices with a clear written or formal equivalent of or.

Illustration of the scene described by Please pay by cash or card.
Read it first

現金げんきんまたはカードで払はらってください。

genkin mata wa kaado de haratte kudasai.

What do you think this sentence means?

Please pay by cash or card.

Why it means that

Present formal alternatives

または connects alternatives in instructions or formal explanations. It means or, allowing a choice according to the surrounding rule.

Example

電話でんわまたはメールで連絡れんらくしてください。

denwa mata wa meeru de renraku shite kudasai.

Please contact us by telephone or email.

How it is built

Form and use または

It is more formal than many everyday spoken choices. It does not by itself settle whether choosing both is allowed; the instruction must make that clear when it matters.

Alternative A+または+Alternative B
Examples

電話でんわまたはメールで連絡れんらくしてください。

denwa mata wa meeru de renraku shite kudasai.

Please contact us by telephone or email.

月曜日げつようびまたは火曜日かようびに来きてください。

getsuyoubi mata wa kayoubi ni kite kudasai.

Please come on Monday or Tuesday.

Examples

予約よやくは電話でんわまたはメールでお願ねがいします。

yoyaku wa denwa matawa meeru de onegai shimasu.

Please make reservations by phone or email.

ご記入きにゅうは黒くろまたは青あおのペンでお願ねがいします。

gokinyuu wa kuro matawa ao no pen de onegai shimasu.

Please fill this out in black or blue pen.

入口いりぐちでチケットまたは予約よやくのメールをお見みせください。

iriguchi de chiketto matawa yoyaku no meeru o omise kudasai.

Please show your ticket or your booking email at the entrance.

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