否则 fǒu zé
“otherwise; if not; or (else)”
conjunctionHSK 4 · 2021 list level 4Traditional 否則
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
否则 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 1206: 否则 fǒuzé — Level 4; official annotation 4 (连). PDF page 110
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 否则
否则 means “otherwise” or “if not.” It joins two clauses: the first gives a condition or action, and the second gives the result if that condition/action is not met. A common pattern is “..., 否则 + consequence.”
例句Example sentences
- 快点走，否则我们会迟到。kuài diǎn zǒu, fǒu zé wǒ men huì chí dào.Hurry up, otherwise we will be late.
- 你要多穿衣服，否则会感冒。nǐ yào duō chuān yī fu, fǒu zé huì gǎn mào.You should wear more clothes, otherwise you will catch a cold.
- 请留下电话号码，否则我们找不到你。qǐng liú xià diàn huà hào mǎ, fǒu zé wǒ men zhǎo bú dào nǐ.Please leave your phone number, otherwise we won't be able to find you.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗如果明天下雨，否则我们不去公园。
✓如果明天下雨，我们就不去公园。
否则 already means “if not,” so it cannot follow 如果 in the same conditional.
-
✗你要茶否则咖啡？
✓你要茶还是咖啡？
否则 connects clauses, not two nouns in a choice question.