不然
HSK 6- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The conjunction 不然 means "otherwise" or "if not," used to indicate an undesirable result that will occur.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
不然 (bùrán) means "otherwise" or "if not." It is used to connect two clauses, where the clause following 不然 expresses an undesirable outcome that will occur if the condition in the preceding clause is not fulfilled.
This is a fairly common expression, usable in both spoken and written language to emphasize consequences. It can be considered equivalent to 要不然.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 快点走吧，不然要迟到了。繁: 快點走吧，不然要遲到了。Kuài diǎn zǒu ba, bùrán yào chídào le.
Walk faster or you'll be late.
- 你得多穿件衣服，不然会感冒的。繁: 你得多穿件衣服，不然會感冒的。Nǐ děi duō chuān jiàn yīfu, bùrán huì gǎnmào de.
You need to wear an extra layer of clothing, or else you'll catch a cold.
- 我们必须现在出发，不然就赶不上火车了。繁: 我們必須現在出發，不然就趕不上火車了。Wǒmen bìxū xiànzài chūfā, bùrán jiù gǎnbushàng huǒchē le.
We must leave now, or we won't be able to catch the train.
- 你最好听他的建议，不然会后悔的。繁: 你最好聽他的建議，不然會後悔的。Nǐ zuìhǎo tīng tā de jiànyì, bùrán huì hòuhuǐ de.
You had better take his advice, or you will regret it.
- 记得带钥匙，不然你进不了门。繁: 記得帶鑰匙，不然你進不了門。Jìde dài yàoshi, bùrán nǐ jìn bu liǎo mén.
Remember to bring your key, or else you won't be able to get in the door.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:不然你会迟到。Correct:你快点走，不然你会迟到。
不然 must follow a clause indicating a condition or suggestion and cannot stand alone at the beginning of a sentence.
- Wrong:他说的不然。Correct:他说的不是那样。
不然 is a conjunction that connects clauses, not used to negate a fact. To say "that is not the case," use 不是那样.