HSK 4Conjunctions
否则(fǒuzé)
Otherwise / Or Else
Structure Pattern
Advice+否则+Consequence
Explanation
否则 (fǒuzé) means "otherwise" or "or else." It introduces a negative consequence. More formal than 要不然 (yàobùrán).
Example Sentences
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1
你要早点出发，否则会迟到。
Nǐ yào zǎo diǎn chūfā, fǒuzé huì chídào.
Leave early, otherwise you'll be late.
2
快点吃饭，否则菜就凉了。
Kuài diǎn chīfàn, fǒuzé cài jiù liáng le.
Eat quickly, otherwise the food will get cold.
3
多穿点衣服，否则会感冒。
Duō chuān diǎn yīfu, fǒuzé huì gǎnmào.
Wear more clothes, otherwise you'll catch a cold.
Common Mistakes
❌
❌
Common Mistake
我们今天去公园，否则我们去电影院。
✅
✅
Correct Usage
我们今天去公园，要不然就去电影院。
info
外国人常误用“否则”来介绍一个简单的替代方案或不同选择，而非负面后果。“否则”特指如果前一个条件未满足，就会导致一个不好的结果。
conjunctionconsequenceformal
Related Grammar Points
Master 否则
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