否则 fǒuzé

否则（fǒuzé）means “否则: 'otherwise' (more formal / written)”. 否则 (fǒuzé) means 'otherwise' and is the written, formal counterpart of 不然. Formation: …，否则(就)…（书面：不这样就…）

否则: 'otherwise' (more formal / written)

HSK5

Formation

…，否则(就)…（书面：不这样就…）

Explanation

否则 (fǒuzé) means 'otherwise' and is the written, formal counterpart of 不然. The first clause gives a required condition or action; 否则(就)… states the negative result if it is not met. It is common in notices and formal writing.

Examples

请按时交作业，否则不能参加考试。
qǐng ànshí jiāo zuòyè, fǒuzé bùnéng cānjiā kǎoshì.
Please hand in homework on time, otherwise you can't take the exam.
我们必须马上出发，否则就赶不上飞机了。
wǒmen bìxū mǎshàng chūfā, fǒuzé jiù gǎn bu shàng fēijī le.
We must leave now, otherwise we'll miss the plane.

Note

Formal/written; ≈ 不然 but more serious. Often 否则就…

FAQ

否则 — what does it mean and how is it used?

否则: 'otherwise' (more formal / written). 否则 (fǒuzé) means 'otherwise' and is the written, formal counterpart of 不然. The first clause gives a required condition or action; 否则(就)… states the negative result if it is not met. It is common in notices and formal writing.

否则 — how do you form it?

…，否则(就)…（书面：不这样就…）

否则 — any usage notes?

Formal/written; ≈ 不然 but more serious. Often 否则就…

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