LEARN + CHINESE / 225 of 300 HSK 6
Otherwise, Here’s What Happens例 · 你最好现在出发
“Bring a jacket, or you’ll freeze on the walk home.” 要不然 and 不然 introduce the consequence that may follow if the listener ignores the advice. The warning usually feels like a real possibility, not a far-off hypothetical.
你最好现在出发，要不然就赶不上最后一班车了。
nǐ zuìhǎo xiànzài chūfā, yàobùrán jiù gǎn bu shàng zuìhòu yì bān chē le.
You’d better leave now, or you’ll miss the last bus.
记得带上雨伞，不然淋湿了会很麻烦。
jìde dài shàng yǔsǎn, bùrán línshī le huì hěn máfan.
Remember to bring an umbrella, or getting soaked will be a real hassle.
我们得早点儿走，要不然会迟到。
wǒmen děi zǎodiǎnr zǒu, yàobùrán huì chídào.
We need to leave early, or we’ll be late.
Hint · 힌트
The second clause gives the likely consequence of ignoring the advice. Don’t use 不然 when you only want to introduce a neutral alternative.
In Real Life
A quick reminder followed by 要不然 or 不然 is common in everyday warnings: leave now, bring something, or do it before a deadline.
Vocabulary
| Chinese | English |
|---|---|
zuìhǎo | best; had better |
xiànzài | now |
chūfā | to depart; set off |
yàobùrán | otherwise; or else |
gǎnbushàng | cannot catch up with |
zuìhòu | last; final |
bān | class; team |
chē | car; vehicle |
jìde | to remember |
dài | to bring; carry; belt |
yǔ | rain |
sǎn | umbrella |
bùrán | otherwise; if not |
lín | to sprinkle; to drench |
shī | wet; moist; damp |
huì | can; to be able to |
máfan | troublesome; to bother |
zǎo | early |
diǎn | o'clock; dot |
chídào | to arrive late |
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