or
gb/ˈɔɹ/ us/ˈɔɹ/
A1
Kiingereza
~ 100
Maana
maana 0
conjunction
A1
relation
1
Used to link alternatives
Used to show a choice between two or more things.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[choice A] or [choice B]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'or' with 'and', especially when listing items.
Visawe
otherwise (Used in some contexts to mean 'if not', but not a direct replacement in all cases)
Vinyume
and (Links items together rather than offering a choice between them)
Miunganiko ya maneno
yes or no
|black or white
|right or wrong
|win or lose
Mada
grammar
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- Would you like tea or coffee?
- We can walk to the park or take the bus.
- Is your birthday in May or June?
- You can pay by card or cash.
- Should I call you tonight or tomorrow?
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- Do you want an apple or an orange?
- Is it hot or cold today?
- We can go now or later.
- Do you like cats or dogs?
conjunction
A2
relation
2
'If not' introducing result
Used to say what will happen if something does not happen.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[do something], or [result]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may mistakenly use 'and' here instead of 'or', which changes the meaning.
Visawe
otherwise (Can replace 'or' in this sense to show the consequence of not doing something)
Miunganiko ya maneno
hurry up or you'll be late
|study hard or fail
|leave now or miss the bus
Mada
grammar
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- Be quiet, or you'll wake the baby.
- We must leave now, or we will miss the train.
- Pay attention, or you might get hurt.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- Run fast, or you will be late.
- Do your homework, or you will get in trouble.
- Eat now, or you will be hungry later.
Sarufi
Semi
either ... or ...
1/ˈiðɚ | ˈɔɹ |/
fixed phrase
One of two possibilities
Used to talk about a choice between two things.
Mifano
- You can either stay here or come with us.
- Either call me tonight or send me an email.
or else
1/ˈɔɹ ˈɛls/
fixed phrase
'If not' with implied threat/result
Used to say what bad thing will happen if something is not done.
Mifano
- You'd better finish your work, or else you'll get a bad grade.
- You had better finish your work, or else you'll be in trouble.
- Put on your coat, or else you'll catch a cold.
- We need to leave now, or else we'll miss the start of the show.
or rather
1/ˈɔɹ ɹˈæðɚ/
fixed phrase
used to correct or clarify
Used to change what you just said to something more correct or exact.
Mifano
- It happened on Monday—or rather, very early Tuesday morning.
- He’s from Spain—or rather, from Catalonia.
or rather
2/ˈɔɹ ɹˈæðɚ/
fixed phrase
Correction to previous statement
Used to change what you just said to make it more correct.
Mifano
- It happened last week, or rather, eight days ago.
- She’s my colleague, or rather, my former colleague.