Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 3: 3/13

Or

Structure
Verb (A) + + Verb (B) +
[い]Adjective (A) + + [い]Adjective (B) +
[な]Adjective (A) + + [な]Adjective (B) +
Noun (A) + + Noun (B) +
Details
Part of Speech Particle
Word Type Adverbial Particle
Register Standard
品詞 助詞
単語の種類 副助詞
使用域 一般
Information
One of the common uses of the particle is often translated to ‘or’ in English. While this translation is accurate, it is not actually any different from ’s regular usage as a question marker.
  • それお母(かあ)さん靴(くつ)お父(とう)さん靴(くつ)。
    Are those mom's shoes, or dad's shoes?
  • それお母(かあ)さん靴(くつ)。お父(とう)さん靴(くつ)
    Are those mom's shoes? Dad's shoes?
From these examples, we can see that, in Japanese, is performing the same role that a question mark would, or that a change in tone of voice would in spoken language.
‘Would you like tea? coffee?’ (said with a rising tone)
This nuance of can be used after the dictionary form of almost any word in Japanese. However, using です or ます will change the nuance from ‘presenting possibilities’, to ‘asking a formal question’, so should be avoided.
  • 今日(きょう)明日(あした)休(やす)
    Today or tomorrow, when will I take a break? (The speaker is thinking this to themselves)
  • 今日(きょう)明日(あした)休(やす)みます
    Will you take a break today or tomorrow? (The speaker is asking another person)
Slow Male
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ここそこ
Here or there?
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ここレストランあそこ レストランいい
This restaurant or that restaurant is good.
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これ私(わたし)ペンあなたペンです
Is this my pen or your pen?
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Online
Books
みんなの日本語 I
Page 20 [CH 2]
Tobira
Page 45
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 164