HSK 4
否则: Otherwise Result in Chinese
否则 introduces what will happen if the preceding instruction, requirement, or condition is not fulfilled. It normally begins the consequence clause and is often translated as otherwise or if not. The negative alternative must be recoverable from the first clause, so 否则 does not simply connect two unrelated events.
STRUCTURE
Required condition, 否则 + Result
When to use 否则… — and when not
Use it when
- Warn about a consequence: 快点儿，否则我们会迟到。
- State what happens if an instruction is not followed.
- Connect a required condition to the result of failing it.
Don't use it when
- Do not use 否则 when the second event is unrelated to failure of the first condition.
- Do not attach aspect particles directly to 否则.
- Do not leave the consequence after 否则 incomplete.
Right vs. wrong
快点儿，否则了我们会迟到。
快点儿，否则我们会迟到。
An aspect particle is attached to the conjunction
否则 is a connector, not the completed action, so it cannot take 了.
记得带卡，否则会。
记得带卡，否则会进不了办公室。
The consequence clause is missing
否则 must introduce the result of not meeting the preceding requirement.
Examples
快点儿，否则我们会迟到。
Kuài diǎnr, fǒuzé wǒmen huì chídào.
Hurry, otherwise we will be late.
记得带卡，否则进不了办公室。
Jìde dài kǎ, fǒuzé jìn bù liǎo bàngōngshì.
Remember your card, otherwise you cannot enter the office.
你要认真复习，否则考试可能不及格。
Nǐ yào rènzhēn fùxí, fǒuzé kǎoshì kěnéng bù jígé.
Study seriously, otherwise you may fail the exam.
Common mistakes
快点儿，否则了我们会迟到。
Kuài diǎnr, fǒuzé le wǒmen huì chídào.
Remove 了 after the conjunction 否则.
记得带卡，否则会。
Jìde dài kǎ, fǒuzé huì.
Complete the consequence after 否则.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 否则… sentence and check that grammar point first.
否则: Otherwise Result FAQ
How is 否则 different from 不然 and 要不然?
They can all mean otherwise. 否则 is relatively neutral or formal, while 不然 and 要不然 are common in conversation.
What does the first clause need to express?
It normally presents an action, requirement, or condition whose failure leads to the consequence after 否则.
Related Chinese grammar points
除非…否则/不然…
除非...否则... (chúfēi...fǒuzé)
Learn first
See how otherwise completes a full unless warning.
万一…（就）…
万一... (wànyī): In Case
Compare
Compare warning about failure with preparing for an uncertain risk.
幸亏…要不然…
幸亏...要不然...: Luckily
Continue learning
Use otherwise to name a negative outcome that was avoided.