Chinese word

要不然

Pronunciation

Pinyinyào bù rán

Meaning

  • conjunctionotherwise

Example

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.

Illustration for 要不然 (otherwise)

More examples

赶快决定，要不然会错过这个机会。gǎn kuài jué dìng yào bù rán huì cuò guò zhè ge jī huì

Decide quickly, or you will miss this opportunity.

Core concept

Keeps two possible outcomes in view: the stated plan, or what happens when the plan is not followed.

Common phrases

  • 要不然就yào bù rán jiù

    otherwise

  • 要不然的话yào bù rán de huà

    otherwise

Similar words

否则fǒu zé: A connector used to state what will happen when a condition is not fulfilled.
不然bù rán: A connector that presents another possible outcome if something does not happen.
要不yào bù: A brief conversational connector for suggesting an alternative or stating what happens otherwise.

Definition in Chinese

用作连词，在陈述请求、建议或条件后指出若不如此将出现的后果，语气偏口语，可替换为“否则”。yòng zuò lián cí zài chén shù qǐng qiú jiàn yì huò tiáo jiàn hòu zhǐ chū ruò bù rú cǐ jiāng chū xiàn de hòu guǒ yǔ qì piān kóu yǔ kě tì huàn wèi fǒu zé

Word origin

要不然 (yàobùrán, "otherwise") develops from 要 (yào, "if") + 不 (bù, "not") + 然 (rán, "so"), with the whole form pointing to what happens if the expected action does not occur.

Usage tips

  • The expression is especially natural in spoken instructions and suggestions, while more formal writing usually uses a more formal connector for the same logical link.

Related words

Word lists with this word