GrammarJLPT N3
or rather
Expression

Definitions

  1. 1. or rather
This conjunction or phrase is used to rephrase or reconsider what was just said, similar to "or rather" or "well, more precisely" in English. It softens or corrects a previous statement and is very common in casual spoken Japanese.

Grammar

Grammar lesson content not found for this point.

Example sentences

Sentence 1

I didn't so much push through as just refuse to run away.

Sentence 2

What do you want? Or actually — what's the biggest problem right now?

Sentence 3

Are you going to sleep already? Or rather — I still want to talk.

Sentence 4

There's a lot of work, or rather, I can't see an end in sight.

Sentence 5

His jokes are funny — or really, you just have to laugh!