Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
‘Or’ / ‘Alternatively’
🎯 Primary Function
To present two or more alternatives where any one is acceptable.
📋 Grammar Structure
[Verb Phrase] または [Verb Phrase]
[I-Adjective] または [I-Adjective]
[Na-Adjective] な または [Na-Adjective] な
Not commonly used in negative structures; it connects choices.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Extremely common in business, law, and formal notices.
Informal Situations
Rarely used; ‘ka’ or ‘soretomo’ are preferred in casual speech.
Written Language
The standard conjunction for ‘or’ in formal documents and instructions.
Spoken Language
Used in news reports, presentations, and formal announcements.
💡 Common Applications
Official Documents
Used to list acceptable alternatives in forms and applications.
Example: 「黒または青のペンで記入してください。」
Business Communication
Commonly used to offer multiple ways for a client to contact a company.
Example: 「メールまたはお電話にてご連絡ください。」
Public Announcements
Used to provide transport options to the public.
Example: 「バスまたは電車をご利用ください。」
Frequency
High (Formal/Written)
Difficulty
N4
Tag:
Example Sentences
Example #1
電話またはメールで連絡してください。
Furigana: でんわまたはメールでれんらくしてください。
Romaji: Denwa mata wa mēru de renraku shite kudasai.
English: Please contact us by email or phone.
Example #2
会議は月曜日または火曜日に行われます。
Furigana: かいぎはげつようびまたはかようびにおこなわれます。
Romaji: Kaigi wa getsuyōbi mata wa kayōbi ni okonawaremasu.
English: The meeting will be held on Monday or Tuesday.
Example #3
現金またはクレジットカードで支払ってください。
Furigana: げんきんまたはクレジットカードでしはらってください。
Romaji: Genkin mata wa kurejitto kādo de shiharatte kudasai.
English: Please pay by cash or credit card.
Example #4
この書類は本人または代理人が提出してください。
Furigana: このしょるいはほんにんまたはだいりにんがていしゅつしてください。
Romaji: Kono shorui wa honnin mata wa dairinin ga teishutsu shite kudasai.
English: This document must be submitted by the person themselves or a representative.
Example #5
黒または青のペンを利用してください。
Furigana: くろまたはあおのペンをりようしてください。
Romaji: Kuro mata wa ao no pen o riyō shite kudasai.
English: Please use a black or blue pen.
Example #6
図書館は月曜日または祝日の翌日が休みです。
Furigana: としょかんはげつようびまたはしゅくじつのよくじつがやすみです。
Romaji: Toshokan wa getsuyōbi mata wa shukujitsu no yokujitsu ga yasumi desu.
English: The library is closed on Mondays or the day following a public holiday.
Example #7
朝食はご飯またはパンを選べます。
Furigana: ちょうしょくはごはんまたはパンをえらべます。
Romaji: Chōshoku wa gohan mata wa pan o erabemasu.
English: You can choose rice or bread for breakfast.
Example #8
ここに住所または電話番号を書いてください。
Furigana: ここにじゅうしょまたはでんわばんごうをかいてください。
Romaji: Koko ni jūsho mata wa denwa bangō o kaite kudasai.
English: Please write your address or phone number here.
Example #9
18歳以上または保護者同伴の場合のみ入場できます。
Furigana: １８さいいじょうまたはほごしゃどうはんのばあいのみにゅうじょうできます。
Romaji: Jū-hassai ijō mata wa hogosha dōhan no baai nomi nyūjō dekimasu.
English: You must be 18 years old or older to enter.
Example #10
商品は3日以内または週末までに届きます。
Furigana: しょうひんはみっかいないまたはしゅうまつまでにとどきます。
Romaji: Shōhin wa mikka inai mata wa shūmatsu made ni todokimasu.
English: The product will be delivered within 3 days or by the end of the week.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Placement in lists
When listing three or more items, ‘mata wa’ is usually placed before the final item.
Example: 「月曜日、火曜日、または水曜日」
Exclusive Choice
It strictly implies choosing one of the options provided.
Example: 「ペンまたは鉛筆」
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using ‘Mata wa’ when talking to friends (e.g., Coffee mata wa tea?)
✅ A か B (A or B)
‘Mata wa’ sounds too stiff for a casual lunch chat.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Formal (Teinei/Keigo context).
Social Situations: Used when the speaker wants to sound professional or when clear, logical choices need to be presented.
Regional Variations: Standard throughout Japan.
🔍 Subtle Differences
Mata wa vs. Ka
‘Ka’ is used in daily conversation; ‘Mata wa’ is for formal writing/speech.
When to use: Use ‘Mata wa’ in reports or formal emails.
Mata wa vs. Soretomo
‘Soretomo’ is used in questions (A? Or B?); ‘Mata wa’ is used in statements/instructions.
When to use: Use ‘Soretomo’ when asking a direct question.
Mata wa vs. Moshiku wa
‘Moshiku wa’ is even more formal and often used for sub-options in legal texts.
When to use: Use ‘Mata wa’ for general formal choices.
📝 Conjugation Notes
Mata wa does not conjugate. It is a conjunction that sits between the items being compared.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The ‘wa’ is often slightly accented to clearly separate the two options.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of ‘Mata’ (Again/And) + ‘wa’ (Topic marker) as a way of saying ‘As another option…’
Other Grammar
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