Conjunctions 否则 / 要不然 (fǒuzé / yàoburán): Otherwise / Or else...

Pattern

• Clause 1，否则 / 要不然 + Clause 2

Usage

• 否则 and 要不然 (both meaning "otherwise / or else") are conjunctions used to warn or remind someone.
• The first clause is typically an imperative, piece of advice, or required condition; the second clause (following 否则 or 要不然) points out the negative consequence that will happen if the first clause is not fulfilled.
• 否则 is formal and common in written Chinese, whereas 要不然 (or 要不 / 不然) is colloquial and common in daily speech.
• Both stand at the beginning of the second clause right after a comma.

Examples

1. 1

   你快点吃饭，否则就要迟到了。

   Nǐ kuài diǎn chīfàn, fǒuzé jiù yào chídào le.

   Eat quickly, otherwise you will be late.

2. 2

   记得带伞，要不然会被雨淋湿。

   Jìde dài sǎn, yàoburán huì bèi yǔ lín shī.

   Remember to bring an umbrella, otherwise you will get soaked by the rain.

3. 3

   你应该早点睡觉，否则明天起不来。

   Nǐ yīnggāi zǎo diǎn shuìjiào, fǒuzé míngtiān qǐ bù lái.

   You should go to sleep early, otherwise you won't be able to get up tomorrow.