Possibility: options

でも

Used to list one or more possible options.

Example

ジュースでもお茶でも飲もうか。 Shall we drink something like a juice or tea?

⚠ Do not confuse with Even if: ても・でも.

かどうか

Means “whether or not”. It is the most common form used.

Example

行きたいかどうか分わからない。 I’m not sure if I want to go or not.

か何か

か何なにか means “or something”. Used with nouns.

Example

ジュースか何か飲のもうか。 Shall we drink something like a juice?

ようか~まいか

V (よう)

+ か +

V

+ まいか

Rules for the second verb:

• V-る:
  • dictionary (る) form + まい
  • V (ます) + まい
• V-う: dictionary (る) form + まい
• くる: こまい・くるまい
• する: しまい・すまい・するまい

Means “whether or not”. Used to consider options. Usually written, but common orally with the verb 言う.

Example

雨あめだ。。。行こうか、行くまいか。。。 It’s raining… Should I go or not…

か

Means “or”. Can be used when there is uncertainty between two or more choices. See か.

又は

又または can be used for two things:

• choosing between two options (“or”)
• listing two options (“both”)

Example

日本語又は英語でしゃべれます。 I can speak both Japanese and English.

それとも

This is used to give a choice between a limited set of two options. It is casual.

Example

何が食べたい。ラーメンそれともカレーか。 What do you want to eat? Ramen or curry?

あるいは

Means “or”, “perhaps”. Mostly used in written form. Can be used orally, if the difference between the two options is large.

Example

月曜日げつようびは暇ひまですか。あるいは水曜日すいようび。 Are you free on Monday? Or Wednesday?