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それとも Japanese meaning | Kotomora

それとも

そ

れ

と

も

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

conjunction

usually written using kana alone

Used to present alternatives in questions, often between two clauses or noun phrases. Typically implies a choice between mutually exclusive options.

コーヒーにしますか、それとも紅こう茶ちゃにしますか。
Will you have coffee, or would you prefer tea?

バスで行いきますか、それとも電でん車しゃで行いきますか。

Shall we go by bus, or by train?

Kanji

其that

Similar words

または
または is more formal and often used in writing or official contexts, while それとも is common in everyday conversation when offering choices.
あるいは
あるいは is similar to または but can sound slightly more literary or emphatic; それとも is specifically for questions.

Etymology

Compound of それ (that) and とも (even if, together with). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it functions as a conjunction presenting alternatives.