又は

Japanese

Kanji in this term
又
また Grade: S
kun'yomi

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) または [màtáꜜ wà] (Nakadaka – [2])
• IPA^(key): [ma̠ta̠ β̞a̠]

Conjunction

又(また)は • (mata wa) 

1. or

   Synonyms: もしくは (moshiku wa), あるいは (arui wa), 乃至 (naishi)

Usage notes

• This term is often spelled in hiragana, as または.
• Used in conjunction with 若しくは (moshiku wa) to form complex lists, particularly in legal contexts. Mata wa divides subsets within the list while moshiku wa is used to conjoin more closely related items.
  • 1946, Constitution of Japan, Article 89:

    公金(こうきん)その他(た)の公(おほやけ)の財產(ざいさん)は、宗敎上(しゆうけうじやう)の組織(そしき)若(も)しくは團體(だんたい)の使用(しよう)、便益(べんえき)若(も)しくは維持(ゐぢ)のため、又(また)は公(おほやけ)の支配(しはい)に屬(ぞく)しない慈善(じぜん)、敎育(けういく)若(も)しくは博愛(はくあい)の事業(じげふ)に對(たい)し、これを支出(ししゆつ)し、又(また)はその利用(りよう)に供(きよう)してはならない。

    Kōkin sono ta no ōyake no zaisan wa, shūkyōjō no soshiki moshiku wa dantai no shiyō, ben'eki moshiku wa iji no tame, mata wa ōyake no shihai ni zokushinai jizen, kyōiku moshiku wa hakuai no jigyō ni taishi, kore o shishutsu shi, mata wa sono riyō ni kyōshite wa naranai.

    No public money or other property shall be expended or (mata wa) appropriated for the use, benefit or (moshiku wa) maintenance of any religious institution or (moshiku wa) association, or (mata wa) for any charitable, educational or (moshiku wa) benevolent enterprises not under the control of public authority.