waak6 ze2或者

Jyutpingwaak6 ze2

Yalewaahk jé

連詞Very common

Definition

Or; expressing a choice between two alternatives.

colloquialdaily actionsother

How it's used

Functions as a conjunction to present alternatives, but it is also frequently used as an adverb meaning maybe or perhaps. When used as an adverb, it often appears at the start of a sentence to express uncertainty about a future event or a guess. Unlike its Mandarin counterpart, it is rarely used to connect full independent clauses in casual speech, where speakers prefer to just list the options.

Examples

nei5你ting1聽jat6日waak6或ze2者hau6後jat6日sin1先gwo3過lai2嚟laa1啦。

Come over tomorrow or the day after instead.

nei5你soeng2想jam2飲gaa3咖fe1啡waak6或ze2者caa4茶aa4呀？

Would you like to drink coffee or tea?

Common phrases

waak6或ze2者hai6係

perhaps it is

waak6或ze2者m4唔hai6係

perhaps it is not

Common mistake

Avoid using it to connect two full sentences; Cantonese speakers usually prefer to use separate sentences or link them with a conjunction like 抑或 if they need to be formal. It is strictly for linking nouns, verb phrases, or time expressions.