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JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

それとも (soretomo)

それとも — or (else)

In short · A conjunction used in a question to offer two or more choices and ask which: “or?” It places an alternative after the first question. The answer is one of the options.
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Pattern

  • AですかそれともBですか A or B? (コーヒーですか、それとも紅茶ですか)
  • 〜か、それとも〜か choices in a question or an embedded clause

How to use it

As in コーヒーにしますか、それとも紅茶にしますか, two question sentences are placed together. The first is finished and それとも brings in the next option. It also works as a question to oneself, as in 歩いて行こうか、それともバスに乗ろうか.

Compared with または and あるいは

または and あるいは list options in writing and need not be questions. それとも is used within a question to have the listener choose. It cannot be used in a non-question statement (× コーヒーを飲む、それとも紅茶を飲む).

Examples

  • コーヒーにしますか、それとも紅茶（こうちゃ）にしますか。

    Kōhī ni shimasu ka, soretomo kōcha ni shimasu ka.

    Will you have coffee, or tea?

    Two choices in a question.

  • ここで待（ま）ちますか、それとも先（さき）に行（い）きますか。

    Koko de machimasu ka, soretomo saki ni ikimasu ka.

    Will you wait here, or will you go on ahead?

    Choosing between two actions.

  • 歩（ある）いて行（い）こうか、それともバスに乗（の）ろうか。

    Aruite ikō ka, soretomo basu ni norō ka.

    Shall we walk, or shall we take the bus?

    Casual, volitional form with か.

Common mistakes

  • It cannot be used in a statement that is not a question; for ordinary lists use または.
  • Make the first part a question too (〜か): × コーヒーにします、それとも紅茶にしますか.

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