(bù rán) - otherwise, or else, if not so in Mandarin
bùránTraditional: 不然
Translation
otherwise, or else, if not so
Word origin
A two-character expression: 不 'not' plus 然 'so, thus' (which contains the fire radical 灬 beneath, the character originally meaning 'to burn'). Together 不然 means 'otherwise' or 'or else'.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 不 (not) + 然 (so, with 灬 fire)
Stroke order
不
然
Examples
，。
Hurry up, or else we will be late.
，。
You must work hard, otherwise you will fail.
，。
Close the door, or else it will be cold.
，。
Walk faster, otherwise we will be late.
，。
Walk faster, otherwise we'll be late.
不然 (bù rán) means otherwise, or else, if not so. It is used as a conjunction in everyday Mandarin speech.
Where this fits
Used in
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不然: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "不然" (otherwise, or else, if not so): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 16.