How common it is
不然 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say bùrán slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
不然表示如果不是这样，就会怎样。
bù rán biǎo shì rú guǒ bú shì zhè yàng， jiù huì zěn yàng。
不然 means otherwise or if not.
Context note
不然常用于提醒、建议和结果。
bù rán cháng yòng yú tí xǐng 、 jiàn yì hé jié guǒ。
It is often used for reminders, advice, and results.
5 examples
快点，不然要迟到了。
kuài diǎn， bù rán yào chí dào le。
Hurry up, otherwise you will be late.
要认真写，不然会错。
yào rèn zhēn xiě， bù rán huì cuò。
You must write carefully, otherwise there will be mistakes.
早点回家，不然妈妈会担心。
zǎo diǎn huí jiā， bù rán mā ma huì dān xīn。
Go home early, otherwise Mom will worry.
快点吃，不然凉了。
kuài diǎn chī， bù rán liáng le。
Eat quickly, otherwise it will get cold.
小心一点，不然会摔倒。
xiǎo xīn yì diǎn， bù rán huì shuāi dǎo。
Be careful, otherwise you will fall.
5 mini stories
他快跑，不然就赶不上车了。
tā kuài pǎo， bù rán jiù gǎn bú shàng chē le。
He ran quickly, otherwise he would miss the bus.
把门关上，不然会有风。
bǎ mén guān shàng， bù rán huì yǒu fēng。
Close the door, otherwise there will be wind.
早点休息，不然明天没精神。
zǎo diǎn xiū xi， bù rán míng tiān méi jīng shén。
Rest early, otherwise you will have no energy tomorrow.
先完成作业，不然不能玩。
xiān wán chéng zuò yè， bù rán bù néng wán。
Finish the homework first, otherwise you cannot play.
慢一点，不然会出错。
màn yì diǎn， bù rán huì chū cuò。
Slow down, otherwise there will be mistakes.