あるいは

Japanese Grammar Advanced Japanese ★★★ 3/5 formal あるいはaruiwa
Reading あるいは
Romaji aruiwa
Formation A あるいは B

Meaning

A conjunction meaning 'or,' 'alternatively,' or 'possibly,' used to present alternatives or to suggest another possibility. It connects two or more options, choices, or hypotheses within a sentence or across sentences.

あるいは serves a dual function as both a disjunctive conjunction ('or / alternatively') and an adverb of possibility ('perhaps / possibly'). As a conjunction, it presents choices or alternatives in a more formal register than または. As an adverb, it introduces a speculative possibility. It is frequently used in academic writing, formal speech, and journalism. Compared to それとも, which is used in questions, あるいは appears in declarative sentences. Compared to もしくは, あるいは is slightly less formal and more versatile, as it can function adverbially. In lists of three or more items, あるいは typically connects the final two.

Examples

  1. 書面で提出するか、あるいは電子メールで送付してください。 Please submit it in writing, or alternatively send it by email.
  2. この現象は気候変動、あるいは都市開発の影響によるものかもしれない。 This phenomenon may be due to climate change, or possibly the effects of urban development.
  3. 留学先はイギリス、あるいはオーストラリアを検討している。 I am considering the UK, or alternatively Australia, as a study-abroad destination.

Usage Guide

Context: written, spoken, academic

Tone: presentational

Do Say

  • 参加者は直接会場に来るか、あるいはオンラインで参加することができます。
  • この問題は教育制度の欠陥、あるいは社会構造そのものに起因している。
  • 報告書は今週中、あるいは遅くとも来週の月曜日までに提出してください。

Don't Say

  • あるいはコーヒーを飲みたい。(Using あるいは without a first option to contrast with) → お茶を飲むか、あるいはコーヒーにしようか迷っている。
  • お茶あるいはコーヒーあるいはジュースあるいは水をください。(Overusing あるいは in a simple list instead of using や or と) → お茶やコーヒー、ジュース、あるいは水をお選びいただけます。

Origin & History

あるいは derives from the verb 或る (ある), an archaic form meaning 'a certain' or 'some,' combined with the topic particle は. It literally conveys 'if it is one case' and has been used to mark alternatives since classical Japanese.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Related Phrases

また An adverb and conjunction meaning 'also,' 'again,' or 'moreover,' used to indicate repetition of an action or addition of a new but related point. It is one of the most versatile connectors in Japanese. さて An interjection or conjunction used to shift the topic of conversation or mark a transition to a new subject. It signals that the speaker is moving on from the current discussion to address something different or to begin the main point. ただ A conjunction meaning 'however' or 'but,' used to introduce a supplementary remark, reservation, or minor qualification to the preceding statement. It softens the contrast compared to しかし or だが. ちなみに A conjunction meaning 'by the way' or 'incidentally,' used to add supplementary or tangential information related to the current topic. It connects the preceding context with an additional piece of information the speaker considers relevant or interesting. 更に An adverb and conjunction meaning 'furthermore,' 'additionally,' or 'even more,' used to indicate that something is being added to or escalated beyond what was already mentioned. It can express both addition and intensification. もしくは A conjunction meaning 'or,' used to disjunctively connect two items, ideas, or conditions. It presents mutually exclusive alternatives in a formal or official context. もっとも A conjunction meaning 'although,' 'having said that,' or 'though,' used to add a comment that partially retracts, qualifies, or puts into perspective what the speaker has just said. It acknowledges the validity of the preceding statement while introducing a counterbalancing consideration. 且つ・かつ A conjunction meaning 'and' or 'as well as,' used to connect words, phrases, or sentences to indicate that two qualities, conditions, or actions coexist simultaneously. It emphasises that both elements apply at the same time.
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