もしくは

も

し

く

は

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

1

conjunction

or; otherwise

usually written using kana alone

Used to present alternatives, often in formal or written contexts. Similar to または, but もしくは can sound slightly more formal or legalistic.

電でん話わもしくはメールでご連れん絡らくください。
Please contact us by phone or email.

必ひつ

要よう

書しょ

類るい

は

窓まど

口ぐち

もしくは

郵ゆう

送そう

で

提てい

出しゅつ

でき

ます

。

The required documents can be submitted at the counter or by mail.

Written forms

もしくはUsage48%
Kana spelling is standard; the kanji form 若しくは is rare and mainly seen in formal or legal writing.
若もしくはUsage52%
Formal or legal kanji spelling; not common in everyday writing.
若もしくはUsage<1%
search-only kanji form
Search-only variant; not a standard modern spelling.

Kanji

若young, if, perhaps

Similar words

または
Both mean 'or', but もしくは is more formal and often used in legal or official documents, while または is neutral and common in everyday speech.
あるいは
あるいは also means 'or', but it can imply a less likely alternative or be used in hypothetical statements, whereas もしくは simply lists alternatives in a formal register.

Etymology

Derived from the classical Japanese verb 若し (もし, 'if') combined with the particle くは, which indicates an alternative. The kanji 若 is used for its meaning of 'or' in this context.