or; either; maybe; perhaps; possibly (あるいは) – Japanese Grammar あるいは (aruiwa)

Q: What JLPT level is あるいは?

JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage

Q: How do you use あるいは in a sentence?

Attach あるいは to the appropriate verb or noun form. Or; either; maybe; perhaps; possibly

Q: Is あるいは formal or casual Japanese?

あるいは is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

あるいは

N2 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

aruiwa

or; either; maybe; perhaps; possibly

か～ないかのうちに ka~nai ka no uchi ni それなのに sore na noni に向かって ni mukatte 恐らく osoraku ことか koto ka そう言えば sou ieba に際して ni saishite かと思ったら ka to omottara どうせ douse まい mai に加えて ni kuwaete からには kara niwa ものの monono かのように ka no you ni せっかく sekkaku いよいよ iyoiyo にしたら ni shitara つつ tsutsu あげく ageku ということは to iu koto wa か～ないかのうちに ka~nai ka no uchi ni それなのに sore na noni に向かって ni mukatte 恐らく osoraku ことか koto ka そう言えば sou ieba に際して ni saishite かと思ったら ka to omottara どうせ douse まい mai に加えて ni kuwaete からには kara niwa ものの monono かのように ka no you ni せっかく sekkaku いよいよ iyoiyo にしたら ni shitara つつ tsutsu あげく ageku ということは to iu koto wa

🃏 Flashcard

あるいは

aruiwa

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or; either; maybe; perhaps; possibly

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N2

Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage

Reading aruiwa

Post ID 50996

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

or; either; maybe; perhaps; possibly

📖 How to use it

A formal conjunction meaning 'or' or 'alternatively', also used to express uncertainty ('maybe').

Attaches to Connects nouns, phrases, or clauses. When connecting clauses, attach to the plain form of verbs/adjectives (dictionary, past, etc.) or to nouns with だ/である. Also used as an adverb at the start of a sentence.

あるいは is a formal, written-style word for 'or'. It can join nouns or entire clauses. When used to list alternatives, it suggests that only one option is possible, and the choice is open. In speech, それとも is more common for questions, and か or または are other options; あるいは sounds stiff or literary in casual conversation.

As an adverb, あるいは expresses the speaker's uncertainty, meaning 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. This usage is also formal and often appears in essays or reports. In everyday speech, you would use たぶん or かもしれない instead.

Note that あるいは can also be used at the start of a sentence to offer an alternative or a second possibility, similar to 'or perhaps' in English.

会議は火曜日あるいは水曜日にしましょう。

Kaigi wa kayoubi aruiwa suiyoubi ni shimashou.

Let's have the meeting on Tuesday or Wednesday.

彼は来ないだろう。あるいは、来たがらないのかもしれない。

Kare wa konai darou. Aruiwa, kitagaranai no kamoshirenai.

He probably won't come. Or perhaps he doesn't want to.

この問題は簡単だ。あるいは、私が慣れているだけかもしれない。

Kono mondai wa kantan da. Aruiwa, watashi ga nareteiru dake kamoshirenai.

This problem is easy. Or maybe it's just because I'm used to it.

Not またはまたは is also 'or' but is more neutral and can be used in both written and spoken contexts. あるいは is more formal and can also mean 'maybe', which または cannot.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

あるいは

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat あるいは three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

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Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using あるいは. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N2 Patterns

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あげく

to end up; in the end; finally; after all

ばかり

about, approximately

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern あるいは mean? ▼

Or; either; maybe; perhaps; possibly

What JLPT level is あるいは? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use あるいは in a sentence? ▼

Attach あるいは (aruiwa) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is あるいは formal or casual Japanese? ▼

あるいは is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember あるいは long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.