否则 (fǒuzé) — otherwise
HSK 3 | conjunction | otherwise, or else — states what will happen if the condition is not met
否则 (fǒuzé)
否则 means otherwise or or else — it states the negative consequence that will follow if the condition or instruction in the first clause is not fulfilled.
Meanings
- [conjunction] Otherwise; or else; if not.
Example Sentences
快点，否则就迟到了。 Kuài diǎn, fǒuzé jiù chídào le. Hurry up, otherwise you'll be late.
你必须认真复习，否则考试会不及格。 Nǐ bìxū rènzhēn fùxí, fǒuzé kǎoshì huì bù jígé. You must review carefully, otherwise you'll fail the exam.
记得带雨伞，否则会被淋湿。 Jìde dài yǔsǎn, fǒuzé huì bèi lín shī. Remember to bring an umbrella, or else you'll get wet.
请按时完成，否则会影响整个计划。 Qǐng ànshí wánchéng, fǒuzé huì yǐngxiǎng zhěnggè jìhuà. Please finish on time, otherwise it will affect the whole plan.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 否则就 | otherwise |
| 否则会 | otherwise will |
| 不然否则 | otherwise (colloquial) |
| 否则麻烦 | otherwise there will be trouble |
| 按时，否则 | on time, or else |
Memory Hook
否 (negate / no — a mouth 口 under something being denied) plus 则 (rule / then). The rule of negation: what happens when you break the condition — the "or else" rule.