或 (huò) - or & perhaps

或Tone 4

huò ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 戈

慧佳

或 · huò

or;

perhaps;

maybe;

someone;

some;

indicates uncertainty or possibility

orperhapsmaybe

Usage highlights

orperhapsmaybesomeonesomeeither...or...

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 且— and; moreover
  • 与— and; with
  • 必— must; certainly

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • You can choose tea or coffee (茶或咖啡).
  • Perhaps he will come tomorrow (他明天或会来).
  • Some people like spicy food (或人喜欢辣食).
  • Maybe it will rain later (或会下雨).

Collocations

  • or(或者)
  • perhaps(或许)
  • maybe(或会)
  • someone(或人)
  • some(或某)
  • either...or...(或...或...)

Idioms

  • Either this or that(或此或彼)
  • Perhaps so, perhaps not(或然或否)
  • Some say this, some say that(或曰此，或曰彼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the most common logical connectives in Classical and Modern Chinese.
  • Used in philosophical texts to express uncertainty and possibility.
  • Appears in many compound words expressing alternatives and choices.

FAQ