#is23lame
elfin yarrow
clear fox
hidden dagger
Non l'or français
torn depot
hidden dagger
Je comprends pas encore
delicate token
It introduces a statement that contrasts with or adds an unexpected twist to the preceding statement. It's like saying "Now that this fact has been established, here's something of note that is logically related to it".
Depending on the sentence it could translate to "and yet", or "with that in mind", or "given that", or "however"...
"Le sage est heureux. Or Socrate est sage, donc il est heureux." possible translations:
-
The sage is happy. On that note, Socrates is a sage, so logically he is happy.
-
The sage is happy. Since Socrates is a sage and given what we just established, logically he is happy.
hidden dagger
Alright but what is the difference between this and mais are they interchangeable
delicate token
Not in all contexts. It wouldn't make sense to say "Le sage est heureux. Mais Socrate est un sage, donc il est heureux", because "mais" shows opposition and there is no opposition in that sentence.
"mais" is straight up "but".
"or" is more complex
hidden dagger
Mais shows opposition, and or shows a fact that is dependent on a prior fact?
delicate token
Yes, I think that's a good way to put it
"or" can show something positively related to what came before as in the Socrates example, or negatively related, in which case it's close to "mais".
Le sage est heureux. Or Trump n'est pas sage, donc il n'est pas heureux.
^ here it's closer to "mais"
Like in the Socrates example, it means "given what was established before, here's another fact that is logically related to it"
btw, fwiw people don't (or very rarely) use "or" in normal day to day conversations.
it does come up every once in a while though, so understanding it helps.
hidden dagger
it does come up every once in a while though, so understanding it helps.
Noticed it used in some literature
Ok I got it thanks for the help, as expected you are never pregnant but you always deliver.
delicate token
rofl