要不
yào bù
Otherwise; or else; how about...; maybe
要不然 (yào bù rán) — otherwise
Condition, 要不然 (yàoburán) / 不然 (bùrán) + consequence
HSK 53.0
Pattern diagram
Condition，要不然不然Result
Rule structure
"要不然 (yào bù rán)/不然 (bù rán)" means "otherwise, or else." The second clause warns of an undesirable consequence if the first condition is not met.
Rule structure
"要不然 (yào bù rán)/不然 (bù rán)" means "otherwise, or else." The second clause warns of an undesirable consequence if the first condition is not met.
Examples
快点走，要不然我们会迟到。
Kuài diǎn zǒu, yàoburán wǒmen huì chídào.
Walk faster, otherwise we'll be late.
Examples
快点走，要不然我们会迟到。
Kuài diǎn zǒu, yàoburán wǒmen huì chídào.
Walk faster, otherwise we'll be late.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “otherwise” in Chinese with 要不然?
Use the structure: Condition, 要不然 (yàoburán) / 不然 (bùrán) + consequence. For example: 快点走，要不然我们会迟到。 — “Walk faster, otherwise we'll be late”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
快点走，要不然我们会迟到。 — “Walk faster, otherwise we'll be late”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 5.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 5 grammar rules
以及 — as well as
Noun A + 以及 (yǐjí) + Noun B
总之 — in short
总之 (zǒngzhī) + Summary / Conclusion
不但不 — not only not, but the opposite
Subject + 不但不 (búdàn bù) + Verb + 反而 (fǎn'ér) + Verb / Subject + 不但没有 (búdàn méiyǒu) + Verb + 反而 (fǎn'ér) + Verb
不是 — not enough, also need
不是 (bú shì) + Action + 就可以了 (jiù kěyǐ le) / 就行了 (jiù xíng le)，还 (hái) / 还是 (háishi) + Further requirement
哪怕 — even if…
哪怕 (nǎpà)⋯⋯，也 (yě)⋯⋯
得不得了 — extremely, unbearably
Adj. + 得不得了 (de bùdéliǎo)
再…也 — no matter how
再 (zài) + Adj., 也 (yě) + Result
老是 — always (complaining)
Subj. + 老是 (lǎoshì) + Verb/Adj.