aks holda / boʻlmasa
Otherwise
To say otherwise or or else, use boʻlmasa in everyday speech or aks holda in more formal speech and writing: Tezroq yuring, boʻlmasa kechikamiz (Walk faster, otherwise we'll be late).
How It Works
English says otherwise or or else. Uzbek has two common words for this:
- boʻlmasa: the everyday choice. Tezroq yuring, boʻlmasa kechikamiz. (Walk faster, otherwise we'll be late.)
- aks holda: more formal, common in writing, notices and official instructions. Hujjatni olib keling, aks holda qabul qilishmaydi. (Bring the document, otherwise they won't accept it.)
Where the words come from. Boʻlmasa is the verb boʻlmoq with the negative -ma- and the condition ending -sa, so it literally means if it isn't so. Aks holda means in the opposite case. This is why the word always comes after the thing that should happen.
The order. First say what should happen, often a command such as yuring or a need with kerak. Then add a comma, the linking word and the result. The result is usually in the present-future tense: kechikamiz (we'll be late), sovuq qotasan (you'll get cold).
Not yoki. The English or in hurry, or we'll be late is not yoki, which offers a choice between options. Use boʻlmasa. You may also hear yoʻqsa with the same meaning; dictionaries mark it as regional.
Another meaning of boʻlmasa. At the start of a sentence, boʻlmasa often means well then or in that case: Boʻlmasa, ertaga koʻrishamiz. (Well then, see you tomorrow.)
To say if not or unless about a particular verb, put the ending on that verb instead: -masa.
Examples (5)
- Tezroq yuring, boʻlmasa kechikamiz.
Walk faster, otherwise we'll be late.
Word by Word: Faster walk, otherwise be-late-will-we.
- Hujjatni olib keling, aks holda qabul qilishmaydi.
Bring the document, otherwise they won't accept it.
Word by Word: Document-ACC taking come, opposite case-in acceptance do-they-not.
Aks holda suits official instructions like this one.
- Kurtkangni kiy, boʻlmasa sovuq qotasan.
Put on your jacket, otherwise you'll get cold.
Word by Word: Jacket-your-ACC wear, otherwise cold freeze-will-you.
- Parolni hech kimga aytmang, aks holda hisobingiz xavf ostida qoladi.
Don't tell anyone your password, otherwise your account will be at risk.
Word by Word: Password-ACC no one-to tell-don't, opposite case-in account-your danger under-at stays.
The first part can also be a negative command.
- Boʻlmasa, ertaga koʻrishamiz.
Well then, see you tomorrow.
Word by Word: Well-then, tomorrow see-each-other-will-we.
At the start of a sentence, boʻlmasa means well then, not otherwise.
Common Mistakes
Using yoki for or else.
Tezroq yuring, yoki kechikamiz.Tezroq yuring, boʻlmasa kechikamiz.Yoki offers a choice between two options, so it cannot mean or else. Use boʻlmasa or aks holda to say what happens if the advice is ignored.
Making the result negative by mistake (meant: Walk faster, otherwise we'll be late).
Tezroq yuring, boʻlmasa kechikmaymiz.Tezroq yuring, boʻlmasa kechikamiz.Boʻlmasa already contains the not. The part after it is what happens if the advice is ignored, so here it stays positive: we'll be late.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on If: -sa and Or.
Related Patterns
- -masaUnless, If Not
Says if not or unless about a particular verb.
Level 4 - agarIf: Agar
Introduces an if clause; otherwise describes the opposite case.
Level 3 - shuning uchunSo, Therefore
Links a cause to its result, where otherwise links advice to a warning.
Level 2 - boʻlmoqTo Be, To Become
The verb that boʻlmasa is built from.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice aks holda / boʻlmasa in Bubblegum
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