それとも

それとも is a conjunction meaning "or" that is used to present an alternative option, almost exclusively in questions. It connects two choices and asks the listener to pick one. It is the "or" you use when asking someone to choose between two possibilities.

How it differs from other "or" words

Japanese has several words that mean "or," and it's important to understand when to use each one:

• それとも – Used between questions (offering alternatives to choose from).
• または – Used in statements or formal/written contexts to list alternatives.
• か – Can mean "or" between nouns (こうひいコーヒーかこうちゃ紅茶 – "coffee or tea"), but それとも is used between full clauses or sentences.

Usage

それとも typically appears between two question clauses. Both clauses often end with か, though in casual speech the final か may be dropped.

It can also be used when only the second option is stated explicitly, with the first option implied from context:

Casual vs. polite

それとも works in both polite and casual speech. In very casual conversation, speakers may shorten it to それか or simply use それとも between short, informal questions.