Grammar Point:
The Chinese word 否则 fǒuzé means “otherwise.” Unlike 要不然 yàoburán, it carries a slight sense of threat or warning, as it implies that if a certain action is not taken or condition is not met, there will be consequences.
Structure
Condition + fǒuzé + Result
你先做完作業,否則別想看電視你先做完作业,否则别想看电视
Finish your homework first, otherwise, forget about watching TV.
不要隨便就放棄,否則對不起自己不要随便就放弃,否则对不起自己
Don’t give up easily, or you’ll regret it.
你別到處亂說話,否則你會惹上麻煩你别到处乱说话,否则你会惹上麻烦
Stop talking nonsense, or you’ll get into trouble.
一個人有缺點就不要怕別人指出,否則永遠也不會進步一个人有缺点就不要怕别人指出,否则永远也不会进步
If you’re afraid of others pointing out your flaws, you’ll never improve.
先做你現在能做的,否則你永遠也不會開始先做你现在能做的,否则你永远也不会开始
Start with what you can do now, or you’ll never get started.
Chúfēi + Condition + fǒuzé + Result
除非 chúfēi …否
fǒuzé … is a structure in Chinese that is similar to “unless” in English. In this structure, there is no sense of threat or warning, but it is more formal than 要不然 yàoburán.除非是大考,否則他絕對不會看書的除非是大考,否则他绝对不会看书的
He will never study unless it’s a big exam.
除非他說他愛我,否則我不可能跟他結婚除非他说他爱我,否则我不可能跟他结婚
I won’t marry him unless he says he loves me.
除非這個工作有很多錢,否則我不做除非这个工作有很多钱,否则我不做
I won’t take the job unless it pays well.