要不然
HSK 4- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
要不然 is used to connect two clauses, indicating an undesirable result that would occur if the action in the preceding clause is not carried out.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Use 要不然 to introduce a negative consequence or an alternative. It is similar to 'otherwise' or 'or else' in English. The first clause is typically a piece of advice, a command, or a hypothetical situation. The second clause, beginning with 要不然, states the consequence if the first clause is not followed. It can also be used to suggest an alternative option, similar to 'or how about'.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 快点走吧，要不然要迟到了。繁: 快點走吧，要不然要遲到了。Kuài diǎn zǒu ba, yàoburán yào chídào le.
Hurry up and go, or you'll be late.
- 你得多穿点儿，要不然会感冒的。繁: 你得多穿點兒，要不然會感冒的。Nǐ děi duō chuān diǎnr, yàoburán huì gǎnmào de.
You need to wear more clothes, or else you'll catch a cold.
- 我们坐地铁吧，要不然会堵车。繁: 我們坐地鐵吧，要不然會堵車。Wǒmen zuò dìtiě ba, yàoburán huì dǔchē.
Let's take the subway, otherwise we'll get stuck in traffic.
- 幸亏你提醒我，要不然我就忘了。繁: 幸虧你提醒我，要不然我就忘了。Xìngkuī nǐ tíxǐng wǒ, yàoburán wǒ jiù wàng le.
Fortunately you reminded me, otherwise I would have forgotten.
- 你得好好学习，要不然找不到好工作。繁: 你得好好學習，要不然找不到好工作。Nǐ děi hǎohǎo xuéxí, yàoburán zhǎo bu dào hǎo gōngzuò.
You must study hard, otherwise you won't be able to find a good job.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:要不然会迟到，我们快点走吧。Correct:我们快点走吧，要不然会迟到。
要不然 introduces the result of the preceding clause, so it must stand in the second clause and cannot be moved to the beginning.
- Wrong:要不然我忘了。Correct:幸亏你提醒我，要不然我就忘了。
要不然 requires a preceding clause to serve as a condition or context; it cannot stand alone.