否则

• Pinyin: fǒu zé
• Hanzi breakdown: 否 = 不 (not) + 口 (mouth) — negation; 则 = 贝 (shell/value) + 刂 (knife) — a rule or consequence

Meaning

Otherwise; or else. Used to introduce the consequence of not following a preceding condition or action.

A formal conjunction that connects two clauses: the first states a condition or action, and 否则 introduces what will happen if that condition is not met. More formal than 不然 or 要不然, and commonly used in both written and spoken Chinese.

Examples

1. 你得早点出门，否则会迟到的。 You need to leave early, otherwise you'll be late.
2. 快把作业写完，否则老师会批评你。 Finish your homework quickly, otherwise the teacher will criticise you.
3. 我们必须认真准备，否则考试很难通过。 We must prepare carefully, otherwise the exam will be hard to pass.

Usage Guide

Context: logical reasoning, everyday

Tone: cautioning

Do Say

• 多穿点衣服，否则会感冒。(Wear more clothes, otherwise you'll catch a cold.)
• 你要遵守规定，否则会受到处罚。(You need to follow the rules, otherwise you'll be penalised.)

Don't Say

• 否则你来还是不来？(Don't use 否则 as a question word — it means 'otherwise' and introduces consequences, not choices; use 是否 for yes/no questions)

Origin & History

否 (negation, from 不 over 口) + 则 (rule/then). Literally 'if not, then...' — a classical Chinese logical connector.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal