不然

• 拼音: bù rán
• 汉字拆解: 不 = negative marker; 然 = 月 (meat/flesh) + 犬 (dog) + 灬 (fire) — originally meant 'to burn', extended to 'so, thus'

含义

Otherwise; or else. Used to introduce a consequence if a prior action is not taken.

Functions as a conjunction linking two clauses where the second states what will happen if the first is not followed. Often appears at the start of the second clause. Can also mean 'not so' in classical usage, but in modern Chinese it almost always means 'otherwise'.

例句

1. 你快点出发吧，不然会迟到的。
2. 多穿点衣服，不然容易感冒。
3. 我们早点订票吧，不然可能买不到了。

用法指南

语境: everyday, advice, warning

语气: cautionary

正确说法

• 赶紧走吧，不然赶不上公交车了。(Let's go quickly, otherwise we'll miss the bus.)
• 你得好好复习，不然考试会很难。(You need to review well, or else the exam will be tough.)

错误说法

• 把'不然'放在句子开头单独使用 (Don't start a sentence with 不然 as the very first clause — it needs a preceding statement to contrast with, e.g. say 你快走 first, then 不然会迟到)

起源与历史

不 (not) + 然 (so, like that). Literally 'if not so', which naturally extends to 'otherwise'.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal