あるいは
Meanings
- Or
- Possibly
- Maybe
- Perhaps
- Or possibly
About this pattern
Explanation
あるいは is a formal, written way to present alternatives or possibilities. It often replaces または in more literary or logical contexts, signaling a choice between two or more options. It can also introduce a tentative possibility rather than a definite fact, giving a sense of speculation or formal consideration. Use it in essays, reports, or presentations when you want to present multiple paths or hypotheses without asserting one as the definite outcome.
Learn in context
Example sentences
This problem is either A or B.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM, or perhaps at 4:00 PM.
This study proposes a new hypothesis, or it supports the existing theory.
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More N3 patterns
It would be good if you do X; You should do X; It's enough to do X
View detailsIt would be nice if ...; It would be good if ...; Should ...; I hope ...
View detailsduring; while; throughout; in the process of
View detailswhile; during; between; in the period of
View detailsDuring the period of / while; Before something changes or happens; Within the time when ... happens
View detailsbefore it happens; before doing something becomes true; before it ends/advances; before it’s no longer possible; while still in the state of not ...
View details