Meaning & usage
それとも means or and is used to present two alternatives and ask which one holds or which to choose. It is a conjunction placed before the second alternative, and both sides should be parallel in structure and usually end as a question with か or rising intonation, as in バスですか、それとも車ですか. Keep the predicates balanced on both sides and use question form throughout, since mismatched endings or a final period make the choice unclear.
Example sentences 5
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あれはバスですか、それとも車ですか。
Is that a bus or a car?
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そこへバスでいきますか。それとも車でいきますか。
Do you go there by bus or by car?
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歩いて行こうかそれとも車で行こうか。
Shall we walk or drive?
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電車で行ってるの？それとも車で行ってるの？
Do you go by train or by car?
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それって、都市なの？それとも国？
Is it a city or a country?
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 1 past exam question.
