Korean word

아니면

Pronunciation

Romanizationanimyeon

Meaning

  • adverbotherwise

Example

지금 출발해야 해. 아니면 늦을 거야.chi geum chul bal hae ya hae a ni myeon neu seul kkeo ya

You have to leave now. Otherwise, you'll be late.

Illustration for 아니면 (otherwise)

More examples

커피 마실래, 아니면 차 마실래?keo pi ma sil lae a ni myeon cha ma sil lae

Would you like coffee or tea?

Core concept

It links two possible paths: the first situation may hold, or another option or result follows instead.

Common phrases

  • 커피 아니면 차keo pi a ni myeon cha

    coffee or tea

  • 버스 아니면 지하철peo seu a ni myeon chi ha cheol

    bus or subway

  • 지금 아니면 나중에chi geum a ni myeon na jung e

    now or later

Similar words

그렇지 않으면keureochi aneumyeon: Shows the result or action that follows when a condition is not satisfied.
안 그러면an keureomyeon: In relaxed speech, suggests a different choice if the earlier plan cannot happen.
또는ttoneun: Connects alternative choices in a somewhat formal way.

Definition in Korean

앞 문장의 내용이 성립하지 않거나 다른 선택을 제시할 때 문장 사이를 이어 주는 연결어.ap mun jang ui nae yong i seong ni pa ji an keo na ta reun seon tae geul che si hal ttae mun jang sa i reul i eo chu neun yeon gyeo reo

Word origin

The word combines 아니 (ani, "not") with 면 (myeon, "if"), giving the basic idea "if not".

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 아니면 (animyeon, "or else") can stand alone when a speaker wants the other person to suggest a different choice.

Other meanings

  • oradverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word