Japanese word

または

Pronunciation

Romajimatawa

Meaning

  • conjunctionor

Example

水またはお茶を飲みます。mizu ma ta wa o cha o no mi ma su

I drink water or tea.

Illustration for または (or)

More examples

朝はパンまたはご飯を食べます。asa wa pa n ma ta wa go han o ta be ma su

I eat bread or rice in the morning.

Core concept

Links alternatives and leaves the choice open between them.

Common phrases

  • 電車またはバスden sha ma ta wa ba su

    train or bus

  • 赤または青aka ma ta wa ao

    red or blue

Similar words

それともsoretomo: A conjunction that offers another choice, especially in a question.
もしくはmoshikuwa: A conjunction that presents an alternative in formal or written language.
あるいはaruiwa: A conjunction that presents a possible alternative or outcome.

Definition in Japanese

複数の事柄のうち、いずれかであることを示す語。fuku sū no koto gara no u chi i zu re ka de a ru ko to o shime su go

Word origin

または (mata wa, "or") comes from 又は (mata wa), combining 又 (mata, "again; another") with は (wa), which adds a contrastive sense.

Usage tips

  • または (mata wa) is common in written and formal Japanese, while everyday speech often uses か (ka) to connect alternatives.

Other meanings

  • either ___ or ___conjunction

Word lists with this word