Japanese word

あるいは

Pronunciation

Romajiaruiwa

Meaning

  • conjunctionor

Example

水あるいはお茶を飲みます。mizu a ru i wa o cha o no mi ma su

I drink water or tea.

Illustration for あるいは (or)

More examples

昼食にはパン、あるいはご飯を食べます。chū shoku ni wa pa n a ru i wa go han o ta be ma su

I eat bread or rice for lunch.

Core concept

Marks the surrounding words or phrases as alternatives without stating which one is chosen.

Common phrases

  • 電車、あるいはバスden sha a ru i wa ba su

    train or bus

Similar words

またはmatawa: Presents one choice or another in a neutral statement.
それともsoretomo: Presents alternatives in a question about which choice is selected.

Definition in Japanese

二つ以上の事柄を選択肢として示し、そのどれかであることを表す語。futa tsu i jō no koto gara o sen taku shi to shi te shime shi so no do re ka de a ru ko to o arawa su go

Word origin

The conjunction あるいは (aruiwa) also appears as 或いは (aruiwa), and its spelling connects it with 或 (aru, "a certain one"); the exact development of the word is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, あるいは (aruiwa) often sounds more formal than または (matawa), while それとも (soretomo) commonly links alternatives in questions.

Other meanings

  • either ___ or ___conjunction

Word lists with this word