もしくは
🃏 Flashcard
もしくは
moshikuwa
Tap to reveal usage
or; otherwise
N1
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level
N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading
moshikuwa
Post ID
51274
Patterns today
0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes
or; otherwise
📖 How to use it
Connects two nouns or clauses to present an alternative, equivalent to 'or' in formal contexts.
Attaches to
Attaches to the plain form of nouns, verbs, and adjectives (e.g., noun + もしくは, verb plain form + もしくは, adjective plain form + もしくは).
もしくは is a formal conjunction used to offer alternatives, similar to または but slightly more formal and often used in legal, academic, or official documents. It can connect nouns, verbs, and adjectives in their plain forms. In speech it sounds stiff, so it is rare in casual conversation. It also functions as 'otherwise' in conditional sentences, but the primary use is listing alternatives.
書類はメールもしくはFAXで送ってください。
Shorui wa meeru moshikuwa fakkusu de okutte kudasai.
Please send the documents by email or fax.
この問題は自分で解決するもしくは専門家に相談する必要がある。
Kono mondai wa jibun de kaiketsu suru moshikuwa senmonka ni soudan suru hitsuyou ga aru.
For this problem, you need to either solve it yourself or consult a specialist.
会議は月曜日もしくは火曜日に設定してください。
Kaigi wa getsuyoubi moshikuwa kayoubi ni settei shite kudasai.
Please schedule the meeting for Monday or Tuesday.
Not または
または is more common and less formal; もしくは is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. In everyday writing, または is preferred.
Register
Formal, primarily used in writing such as legal documents, contracts, and official notices; rarely used in casual speech.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
もしくは
📚 How to Master This Pattern
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat もしくは three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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 もしくは. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern もしくは mean?
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Or; otherwise
What JLPT level is もしくは?
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Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use もしくは in a sentence?
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Attach もしくは (moshikuwa) 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 もしくは formal or casual Japanese?
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もしくは 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 もしくは long-term?
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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.