もしくは means or; otherwise. It is a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar pattern used to present alternatives in a formal sense, often implying that the options are exclusive or that the last option may be taken as a fallback.
This grammar point often appears in legal documents, contracts, rules, and formal written instructions. If you want to express alternatives in a precise, authoritative way, もしくは is a useful pattern to learn because it adds the weight and clarity expected in official Japanese.
What does もしくは mean?
Use もしくは when you want to present two or more alternatives, usually in a context where selecting one excludes the others, or where the second option serves as an alternative if the first cannot be used.
Natural translations include:
- or; otherwise; or else; in the alternative
Try to notice the formal register and whether the writer intends to offer a fallback or a distinct choice. Often, “or” is enough, but “otherwise” fits when the first option is impossible.
How to form もしくは
Examples of the pattern:
- 鉛筆もしくはボールペン
- 返信するもしくは来店する
Unlike many N1 grammar points, もしくは does not alter the form of the words around it. It simply sits between the items being contrasted. The form before and after are plain forms; no special conjugation is required.
When is もしくは used?
Use もしくは in situations like:
- formal instructions or regulations
- legal contracts and official announcements
- academic or business writing where precision is critical
- when you want to offer a fallback option (“A, or if that is not possible, B”)
Tone and register:
- extremely formal; rarely used in casual speech
- belongs to the written language of rules and procedures
- Common in test questions, bureaucratic documents, and JLPT N1 reading
もしくは example sentences
After reading each sentence, notice what job もしくは is doing: it lays out alternatives in a formal framework, often where only one can be done or the second only applies if the first is not possible. That makes the nuance clearer than a simple “or”.
Nuance of もしくは
The key nuance is formal exclusivity: the options are presented as alternatives, often with the implication that you must choose one—and sometimes with a built-in fallback hierarchy.
For example, in an instruction like “鉛筆もしくはボールペンで書く” (write with pencil or pen), it simply lists two equal ways. But in a legal clause, “支払い期日までに振り込むもしくは当社窓口で支払う” it can mean “pay by bank transfer by the due date, or (if you cannot) pay at our counter,” injecting a subtle “otherwise” nuance.
This matters because learners often reach for casual “or” expressions (か、それとも、または) in situations that call for もしくは’s formality and precision. Using it correctly signals the ability to handle high-register Japanese, the kind expected in N1 reading and business scenarios.
もしくは vs または
Both もしくは and または mean “or” and are used in formal writing, but they are not fully interchangeable.
When you want to stress that the second option is a backup, or you are writing something like a contract clause, もしくは is the natural choice. If you simply need a formal “or” with no implied hierarchy, または is enough.
Common mistakes with もしくは
A helpful practice method is to take a formal instruction and rewrite it once with もしくは and once with または. If the meaning shifts from “equal choice” to “fallback,” you have felt the nuance.
Is もしくは on the JLPT?
Yes. もしくは is explicitly listed as JLPT N1 grammar.
- It appears in reading comprehension passages from contracts, public notices, and formal essays.
- Questions may test your ability to distinguish it from または or あるいは in a multiple-choice cloze.
- You should be able to recognize it instantly in dense official text and understand whether a fallback nuance is present.
For test preparation, study もしくは in full sentences taken from mock exams. Pay attention to the surrounding register; if the text sounds like a law or a rule, もしくは is often the correct answer over less formal alternatives.
Practice questions for もしくは
Keep your first sentences formulaic: “noun A もしくは noun B を verb.” Once that feels natural, expand the clause after もしくは so the fallback interpretation becomes clear.
Learning path for もしくは
Related grammar to review next
- んばかりに — because it also expresses a strong condition that drives an outcome, often in literary registers
- ものとして — because it also appears in formal declarations, shaping how a situation is officially regarded
- んがために — because it also conveys purpose in a stiff, written style, parallel to formal instructions
- ものとする — because it, like もしくは, is a staple of contracts and official documents, defining what is to be done
Learn もしくは with Hane
If you want to review もしくは together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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FAQ about もしくは
What does もしくは (moshikuwa) mean in Japanese?
もしくは (moshikuwa) means “or; otherwise”. It is JLPT N1 grammar. Use もしくは when you want to present two or more alternatives, usually in a context where selecting one excludes the others, or where the second option serves as an alternative if the first cannot be used.
How do you form もしくは (moshikuwa)?
Noun / Noun Phrase + もしくは + Noun / Noun Phrase Verb Phrase / Clause + もしくは + Verb Phrase / Clause
What is the difference between もしくは and または?
もしくは: formal exclusive choice; often implies a fallback. または: neutral formal "or"; equal alternatives.
What is an example sentence with もしくは (moshikuwa)?
申込書は黒のボールペンもしくは万年筆で記入してください。 — Please complete the application form with a black ballpoint pen or a fountain pen.