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若しくは. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
若しくは, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
若しくは in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
若しくは you have here. The definition of the word
若しくは will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
若しくは, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Japanese
Etymology
もし (moshi, “if”) + く (ku, adverbial suffix) + は (ha, topic-marking particle). Calque of Literary Chinese 若.
Pronunciation
Conjunction
若しくは • (moshiku wa)
- or
- Synonyms: または (mata wa), あるいは (arui wa), 乃至 (naishi)
Usage notes
- This term is often spelled in hiragana, as もしくは.
- Used in conjunction with 又は (mata wa) to form complex lists, particularly in legal contexts. Mata wa divides subsets within the list while moshiku wa is used to conjoin more closely related items.
- 1946, Constitution of Japan, Article 89:
- 公金その他の公の財產は、宗敎上の組織若しくは團體の使用、便益若しくは維持のため、又は公の支配に屬しない慈善、敎育若しくは博愛の事業に對し、これを支出し、又はその利用に供してはならない。
- Kōkin sono ta no ōyake no zaisan wa, shūkyōjō no soshiki moshiku wa dantai no shiyō, ben'eki moshiku wa iji no tame, mata wa ōyake no shihai ni zokushinai jizen, kyōiku moshiku wa hakuai no jigyō ni taishi, kore o shishutsu shi, mata wa sono riyō ni kyōshite wa naranai.
- No public money or other property shall be expended or (mata wa) appropriated for the use, benefit or (moshiku wa) maintenance of any religious institution or (moshiku wa) association, or (mata wa) for any charitable, educational or (moshiku wa) benevolent enterprises not under the control of public authority.