または (mataha)

Meaning & usage

または presents two alternatives and means or, with the sense that one of the options holds. It is placed between two nouns or noun phrases, as in A または B. It is formal and common in writing, announcements, and polite offers, where casual speech would often use か or それとも.

Example sentences 4

1. 紅茶こうちゃまたはコーヒーはいかが？

   Would you like some tea or coffee?

2. ユーザー名またはパスワードが間違っています。

   Either your user name or password is incorrect.

3. ドイツでは、卵は普通６個または１０個ずつで販売されています。

   In Germany, eggs are normally sold either 6 or 10 at a time.

4. 名詞を修飾するもの（形容詞、または形容詞相当語句）。

   Things that modify nouns (adjective, or adjectival equivalent).