English–Chinese
“otherwise” in Chinese
How to say “otherwise” in Chinese
“Otherwise” in Chinese is 不然 (bù rán).
A boundary between the advised choice and the bad outcome beyond it.
Example sentences with 不然
你先试试这个方法，要不然的话再换一个。nǐ xiān shì shì zhè ge fāng fǎ yào bù rán de huà zài huàn yí gè
First try this method; otherwise, switch to another one.
Tips for using 不然
- The word can also open a short follow-up remark, which makes it useful when a speaker adds a quick warning after an instruction or proposal.
Other Chinese words for “otherwise”
他应该先道歉，否则关系会变差。tā yīng gāi xiān dào qiàn fǒu zé guān xì huì biàn chà
He should apologize first; otherwise, the relationship will get worse.
请先付钱，要不然不能带走。qǐng xiān fù qián yào bù rán bù néng dài zǒu
Please pay first, otherwise you cannot take it with you.