or; or else (それとも) – Japanese Grammar それとも (soretomo)

Q: What JLPT level is それとも?

JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Q: How do you use それとも in a sentence?

Attach それとも to the appropriate verb or noun form. Or; or else

Q: Is それとも formal or casual Japanese?

それとも can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

それとも

N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

soretomo

or; or else

つもりだった tsumori datta どうしても doushitemo によると /によれば ni yoru to/ni yoreba と共に to tomo ni ことは～が koto wa~ga わけだ wake da 切れない kirenai まさか masaka こそ koso くらい・ぐらい kurai / gurai か何か ka nani ka ついに tsui ni にしては ni shite wa のでしょうか no deshou ka だけでなく dake de naku 直す naosu こと koto とても～ない totemo~nai めったに～ない metta ni~nai において ni oite つもりだった tsumori datta どうしても doushitemo によると /によれば ni yoru to/ni yoreba と共に to tomo ni ことは～が koto wa~ga わけだ wake da 切れない kirenai まさか masaka こそ koso くらい・ぐらい kurai / gurai か何か ka nani ka ついに tsui ni にしては ni shite wa のでしょうか no deshou ka だけでなく dake de naku 直す naosu こと koto とても～ない totemo~nai めったに～ない metta ni~nai において ni oite

🃏 Flashcard

それとも

soretomo

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or; or else

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N3

Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Reading soretomo

Post ID 50922

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

or; or else

📖 How to use it

それとも connects two alternative questions, meaning 'or'.

Attaches to It is a conjunction used between two full sentences or clauses that are questions. No specific verb form attaches; it simply follows the first question and precedes the second.

それとも is used when you are presenting two or more options as questions, and you want the listener to choose one. It often appears in casual conversation and is similar to saying 'or' in English when offering alternatives. Unlike または (which is more formal and used in writing), それとも is natural in spoken Japanese.

You can use it with any kind of question: yes/no questions, questions with question words, or even with a noun and ですか. The key is that both parts are questions. For example, you might ask a friend if they want coffee or tea: コーヒーにしますか、それとも紅茶にしますか？

It can also be used after a statement to express a kind of afterthought, like 'or else' as in 'Are you coming, or are you busy?' In that case, the first part is a question, and the second part offers an alternative.

電車で行きますか、それともバスで行きますか。

Densha de ikimasu ka, soretomo basu de ikimasu ka.

Will you go by train, or by bus?

コーヒーにしますか、それとも紅茶にしますか。

Kōhī ni shimasu ka, soretomo kōcha ni shimasu ka.

Will you have coffee, or tea?

映画を見たいですか、それとも家で休みたいですか。

Eiga o mitai desu ka, soretomo ie de yasumitai desu ka.

Do you want to watch a movie, or do you want to rest at home?

Not またはまたは is used in formal or written contexts to connect nouns or clauses without necessarily being a question, meaning 'or'. それとも is specifically for offering choices in questions, and is conversational. Use それとも when you are asking someone to choose between alternatives; use または in announcements or official documents.

Register それとも is neutral but commonly used in spoken Japanese; it is fine in both casual and polite conversation, but less common in formal writing.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

それとも

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat それとも 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.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using それとも. 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 N3 Patterns

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そのために

hence; for that reason; because of~

そうもない

very unlikely to~; showing no signs of~

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern それとも mean? ▼

Or; or else

What JLPT level is それとも? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use それとも in a sentence? ▼

Attach それとも (soretomo) 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 それとも formal or casual Japanese? ▼

それとも is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember それとも 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.