How do you use "or" in a sentence?

Would you like tea or coffee? You must leave now, or you will miss the train. There were twenty or so people at the meeting.

or

Q: What does "or" mean?

Used to link alternatives; otherwise The conjunction 'or' connects alternatives or choices, and can introduce a consequence if the first option is not taken ('hurry or you'll be late'). It is used in questions offering choices and in negative sentences to mean 'and not'. 'Or' also appears in expressions like 'or so' (approximately) and 'or else' (otherwise).

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: Used to link alternatives; otherwise

或者，还是，否则

o, u

または、あるいは、さもないと

또는, 혹은, 그렇지 않으면

The conjunction 'or' connects alternatives or choices, and can introduce a consequence if the first option is not taken ('hurry or you'll be late'). It is used in questions offering choices and in negative sentences to mean 'and not'. 'Or' also appears in expressions like 'or so' (approximately) and 'or else' (otherwise).

「or」连接替代选项或选择，也可以引入不选择第一个选项时的后果（「hurry or you'll be late」）。它用于提供选择的问题和否定句中表示「也不」。「or」也出现在「or so」（大约）和「or else」（否则）等表达中。

La conjunción «or» conecta alternativas u opciones, y puede introducir una consecuencia si no se toma la primera opción («hurry or you'll be late»). Se usa en preguntas que ofrecen opciones y en oraciones negativas para significar «y no». «Or» también aparece en expresiones como «or so» (aproximadamente) y «or else» (de lo contrario).

「or」は選択肢や選択を接続し、最初の選択肢が取られない場合の結果を導入することもできます（「hurry or you'll be late」）。選択肢を提供する疑問文や、「〜もない」を意味する否定文で使われます。「or」は「or so」（およそ）や「or else」（さもないと）などの表現にも現れます。

접속사 'or'는 대안이나 선택지를 연결하며, 첫 번째 옵션이 이루어지지 않을 경우의 결과를 도입할 수 있습니다('hurry or you'll be late'). 선택을 제시하는 질문이나 부정문에서 'and not'의 의미로 사용됩니다. 'or so'(대략), 'or else'(그렇지 않으면) 같은 표현에도 쓰입니다.

Examples

Would you like tea or coffee?
您想要茶还是咖啡？
¿Te gustaría té o café?
紅茶とコーヒー、どちらがよろしいですか？
홍차와 커피 중 어느 것을 드시겠어요?
You must leave now, or you will miss the train.
你必须现在离开，否则你会错过火车。
Debes irte ahora, o perderás el tren.
今すぐ出なければ、電車に乗り遅れますよ。
지금 바로 나가지 않으면 기차를 놓칩니다.
There were twenty or so people at the meeting.
会议上大约有二十个人。
Había veinte personas más o menos en la reunión.
会議には20人ほどいました。
회의에는 20명 정도가 있었습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old English 'oþþe', meaning 'or' — an alternative conjunction. The modern form derives from a shortened variant. Cognate with Old High German 'odar' and Gothic 'aiþþau'.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

or

Examples

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Origin & History

Cultural Context

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