それとも

• 読み: それとも
• ローマ字: soretomo
• 発音: /so.ɾe.to.mo/

意味

Or; or else. A conjunction presenting an alternative choice between two options.

A conjunction used exclusively in questions to present an alternative. Connects two options the listener must choose between. More formal than the simple か...か pattern and signals that the speaker genuinely wants the listener to pick one.

例文

1. お茶にしますか、それともコーヒーにしますか。
2. 電車で行く、それともバスで行く。
3. 今日やる、それとも明日にする。

使い方ガイド

場面: questions, decision-making, daily conversation

トーン: neutral

起源と歴史

Composed of それ (that) + と (with) + も (also/even). Literally 'even with that,' it evolved to present an alternative possibility alongside what was already mentioned.

文化的背景

時代: Classical

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal