それとも
Or, Or else, Rather
Structure
Explanation
The conjunction それとも translates to 'or' and is used to present a choice between two distinct alternatives, (A) and (B). It is formed from the word それ combined with the particles と and も. This grammar point is specifically for situations where there are only two options being considered.
You will typically find それとも at the start of a new sentence or immediately following a comma.
- 夕食はカレーにしますか。それともラーメンにしますか。Are we having curry for dinner? Or shall we have ramen?
- 何を飲みたい？コーヒーにする？それともお茶にする？What would you like to drink? Do you want coffee? Or would you rather have tea?
- この赤いシャツを買おうか、それとも青いシャツを買おうか、悩むなあ。I can't decide whether to buy the red shirt or the blue one.
While the two choices presented are frequently contrasting, it is not a strict rule that they must be opposites to use それとも.
Examples
家で食べる？それとも外食する？
Are we eating at home? Or shall we go out?
電車で行きますか。それともバスで行きますか。
Are you going by train, or are you going by bus?
この仕事を引き受けるべきか、それとも断るべきか、悩んでいる。
I'm torn on whether I should accept this job or turn it down.
赤ワインにしますか？それとも白ワインにしますか？
Will you be having the red wine? Or rather, the white wine?
彼に本当のことを話すべきか、それともこのまま黙っているべきか。
Should I tell him the truth, or should I just keep quiet?
山へ行く？それとも海へ行く？
Are we going to the mountains? Or the sea?
明日にしようか、それとも明後日にしようか。
Should we do it tomorrow, or rather, the day after tomorrow?
このデザインは古い？それともレトロでオシャレ？
Is this design old? Or rather, is it retro and stylish?
進学するか、それとも就職するか、まだ決められない。
I still can't decide whether to continue my education or get a job.
これは犬？それとも猫？暗くてよく見えない。
Is that a dog, or a cat? It's too dark to see well.
昇進を喜ぶべきか、それとも責任の重さに怯えるべきか。
Should I be happy about the promotion, or should I be daunted by the weight of responsibility?
彼は天才なのか、それともただの変人なのか。
Is he a genius, or is he just an eccentric?