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要不

yào bù

HSK 5

Meaning

  • otherwise
  • or else
  • how about...?
  • either... (or...)

Definition

表示如果不这样，就会导致某种结果；或者用于提出建议、选择。

otherwise; or else; or; how about (used to make a suggestion or imply a consequence).

Usage

常用于口语，连接两个分句，表示如果不做前一件事，就会发生后一件事；或用于提出另一种选择或建议。

Commonly used in spoken Chinese to connect two clauses, indicating that if the first action is not taken, the second consequence will occur; or to propose an alternative or suggestion.

Examples

  • 1 要不我们去看电影吧？ (How about we go watch a movie?)
  • 2 快走吧，要不就迟到了。 (Hurry up, or we'll be late.)
  • 3 要不你试试这个办法？ (Maybe you could try this method?)
  • 4 明天要不就休息一天？ (How about taking a day off tomorrow?)
  • 5 要不这样，你先去，我随后就到。 (How about this: you go first, and I'll come later.)

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