Russian Vocabulary (and Wisdom)

How to say "or" in Russian

This Russian word is one of the top 1000 words in Russian. The complete list of most common Russian words is available here.

или

Meaning: or

Pronunciation: [EE-lee]

Part of speech: conjunction

Rank: #54 (see frequency list)

Example sentences:

Быть или не быть...
To be or not to be...
Вам это нравится или нет?
Do you like it or not? (formal or plural)
Я позвоню вам сегодня или завтра.
I'll call you today or tomorrow. (formal or plural)
Всё и́ли ничего́.
All or nothing.

Idioms and set expressions:

или ... или = either ... or
или же = or else

Proverbs and sayings:

Пан или пропал.
It's win all, or lose all.
Всё или ничего.
All or nothing.
Кошелёк или жизнь!
Your money or your life!
О мёртвых -- или хорошо, или ничего.
Say nothing but good about the dead.
literal About dead -- either good or nothing.
Победить или умереть.
Either to conquer or to die.
Теперь или никогда.
Now or never.

Phrase recordings: Copyright(c) 2011 MasterRussian.com. All rights reserved.
Word recordings: Copyright(c) 2006 Streit Goulnara, Streit Eric, Vion Nicolas. Copyright(c) 2007 S. Sakhno, N. Vion. Distributed under CC-BY.

Got questions?

Ask them in the Russian Questions and Answers — a place for students, teachers and native Russian speakers to discuss Russian grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and other aspects of the Russian language.