What does o in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word o in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use o in Spanish.

The word o in Spanish means O, or, or, either ... or, or else, -st, do you get it or should I explain?, yes or no?, sooner or later, at some point, life-or-death, now or never, sooner or later, any which way, coin flip, flip of a coin, matter of life or death, a question of life or death, a matter of life or death, of little or no value, life or death, to a greater or lesser degree, to a greater or lesser extent, Official School of Languages, fol., signature of parent or guardian, whether did or not, believe it or not, whether you want to or not, more or less, no., be born or made, be totally useless, either...or, or whatever it is, whatshisname, or not (+verb), or not, whether...or not, I mean, all or nothing, either...or, either...or, walk, avenue, boulevard, odds and evens, odds or evens, around, like it or not, for one reason or another, rightly or wrongly, for one reason or another, for whatever reason, for one reason or another, for better or worse, for one thing or another, no matter what, the same or more than, the same or more as, sooner or later, like it or not, believe it or not, all or nothing, trick or treat, use or as a shield, original version, dead or alive. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word o

O

nombre femenino (letra del abecedario) (alphabet)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Escribe nombres de animales que empiezan por o.

Write the names of animals that begin with "o".

or

conjunción (disyuntiva, alternativa)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

¿Quién tiene la razón, él o yo?

Who is right, him or me?

or

conjunción (lo que es lo mismo)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Miguel de Cervantes, o el manco de Lepanto, nació en Alcalá de Henares en 1547.

Miguel de Cervantes, or the one-handed man of Lepanto, was born in Alcalá de Henares in 1547.

either ... or

conjunción (dar énfasis)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

O trabajas o te despido.

Either you work or you're fired.

or else

conjunción (advertencia)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Arreglas tu cuarto o no vas a la fiesta.

Tidy up your room or else you won't go to the party.

-st

sufijo (ordinal masculino) (1)

(suffix: Added to end of word stem--for example, friendless = friend+less.)

El 1.º de cada mes se lleva a cabo un chequeo de los equipos.

An equipment check is carried out on the 1st of every month.

do you get it or should I explain?

expresión (CR, coloquial (imaginar, creer ver)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

¿Quedó clara mi opinión? ¿La vio o se la dibujo?

yes or no?

expresión (para pregunta cerrada)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Quieres ir al cine, ¿sí o no?

Do you want to go to the movies, yes or no?

sooner or later, at some point

expresión (antes o después)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

life-or-death

locución adverbial (con peligro de muerte)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Los médicos le operaron a vida o muerte.

now or never

expresión (momento adecuado)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Tengo veinticinco años, nada que me ate y ganas de viajar, ¡es ahora o nunca!

I'm twenty-five years old, have nothing tying me down and want to travel. It's now or never!

sooner or later

locución adverbial (en cualquier momento)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Estoy seguro de que Diego se dará cuenta de su error antes o después y nos ofrecerá disculpas.

I am sure that Diego will realise his mistake sooner or later and apologise to us.

any which way

expresión (de cualquier modo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Me dijo que lo haga así o asá, que no era tan importante.

He told me to do it any which way, that it didn't matter.

coin flip, flip of a coin

locución nominal femenina (juego con monedas)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Dejémoslo a cara o cruz y que decidan las monedas.

Let's leave it to a coin flip and let the coin decide.

matter of life or death

(situación vital)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Durante un ataque de asma, tener un inhalador a la mano puede ser cuestión de vida o muerte.

a question of life or death, a matter of life or death

locución nominal femenina (figurado, informal (asunto importantísimo)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Necesito el teléfono ahora: ¡es cuestión de vida o muerte que llame a mi mamá! En ese momento, recuperar mi billetera se convirtió para mí en cuestión de vida o muerte.

I need the phone now: it's a matter of life or death! In that moment, getting my wallet back became a matter of life or death.

of little or no value

locución adjetiva (arcaico (de poco valor)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Se consideraba a la clase media como negociantes de poco más o menos.

life or death

locución adjetiva (peligroso, crucial)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

Relájate que no es un asunto de vida o muerte.

Relax, it isn't a matter of life or death.

to a greater or lesser degree

expresión (en más o menos cantidad)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

to a greater or lesser extent

locución adverbial (en mayor o menor porcentaje)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Todos, en mayor o menor medida, nos esforzamos para asistir a las víctimas.

All of us, to a greater or lesser extent, strove to help the victims.

Official School of Languages

locución nominal femenina (centro educativo enseñanza idiomas) (Spanish language schools)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Los exámenes de la Escuela Oficial de Idiomas me parecen muy completos.

fol.

nombre masculino (abreviatura (folio) (folio, abbreviation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

signature of parent or guardian

(autorización de tutor)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Para que el permiso tenga validez debe contar con la firma del padre o encargado.

The permit is valid only if it bears the signature of a parent or guardian.

whether did or not

expresión (expresa concesión)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Lo haya dicho él o no, igual me debe una explicación.

Whether he said it or not, he still owes me an explanation.

believe it or not

expresión (afirmación enfática)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Lo crean o no, soy de sangre azul.

Believe it or not, I come from royal blood.

whether you want to or not

expresión (afirmación enfática)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

¡Vas a lavar el coche lo quieras o no!

You're going to wash the car whether you want to or not!

more or less

locución adverbial (aproximadamente)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Vinieron más o menos 50 personas a la fiesta.

More or less fifty people came to the party.

no.

nombre masculino (abreviatura (número) (abbreviation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

be born or made

expresión (profesión, arte, talento)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

¿Un artista nace o se hace?

be totally useless

expresión (ES, coloquial (ser muy ignorante) (person)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

La novia de mi hermano es una burra, no sabe hacer la o con un canuto.

either...or

locución conjuntiva (introduce posibilidad)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Este proyecto podría ser olvidado o bien implementarse en el futuro.

This project could either be forgotten or implemented in the future.

or whatever it is

(sea cual sea la pronunciación)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Los catalanes dicen t'estimo, t'astimu o como quiera que se diga.

whatshisname

(sea cual sea el nombre)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

¿Ha venido Stephan, Estéfano o como quiera que se llame?

Has Steve, I mean, Stephan or whatshisname turned up?

or not (+verb)

locución conjuntiva (expresión condicional)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Haz tu tarea o no saldrás a jugar con tus amigos.

Do your chores or you won't go out to play with your friends.

or not

locución conjuntiva (expresa posibilidad)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Hoy hace mucho calor y mañana podría llover o no.

It is very hot today and tomorrow it could rain, or not.

whether...or not

expresión (alternativa)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Dijera o no dijera la verdad su destino estaba escrito.

Whether or not you tell the truth, your destiny was written.

I mean

expresión (esto es) (informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

El esposo de mi hija, o sea, mi yerno, es arquitecto.

The husband of my daughter, I mean, my son-in-law, is an architect.

all or nothing

expresión (sin medias tintas)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Yo quiero tener o todo o nada, no me gustan las cosas a medias.

I want to have all or nothing, I don't do things by half.

either...or

conjunción (enfatiza advertencia)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

O me obedeces o te castigo.

either...or

conjunción (posibilidades opuestas)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Decídete, o vienes o te vas.

walk, avenue, boulevard

nombre masculino (abreviatura (paseo)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

odds and evens, odds or evens

locución nominal masculina (juego de probabilidad)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Para decidir quién tendría la habitación más grande, mis hijos jugaron a pares y nones.

My children played odds or evens to decide who would get the biggest room.

around

locución adverbial (casi, alrededor de)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")

Eran poco más o menos las tres de la tarde.

like it or not

locución adverbial (coloquial (de uno u otro modo)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

Por ce o por be, el caso es que no cambia de opinión.

for one reason or another

locución adverbial (ES: coloquial (por una u otra razón)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Por fas o por nefas Miguel nunca podía terminar los estudios.

For one reason or another, Miguel never got round to finishing his studies.

rightly or wrongly

locución adverbial (ES: coloquial (justa o injustamente)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Por fas o por nefas la jefa acabó juzgando a María.

for one reason or another, for whatever reason

locución adverbial (coloquial (por una razón u otra)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Por hache o por be no pudo presentarse a tiempo.

for one reason or another

locución adverbial (coloquial (por una razón u otra)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Por pitos o por flautas hace mucho que no nos vemos.

for better or worse

expresión (para bien o para mal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Por suerte o desgracia, las cosas son así y no podemos cambiarlas.

Whether you like it or not, that's the way things are and we can't change them.

for one thing or another

expresión (por cosas sin definir)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

no matter what

expresión (sin opción al no)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Tenemos que terminar el trabajo sí o sí.

We have to finish the job, no matter what.

the same or more than, the same or more as

locución adverbial (indica grado, cantidad)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

sooner or later

locución adverbial (en algún momento)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Tarde o temprano esa pareja se va a separar.

Sooner or later that couple is going to break up.

like it or not

expresión (afirmación enfática)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Te guste o no, los padres son un ejemplo para sus hijos.

Like it or not, parents set an example for their children.

believe it or not

expresión (afirmación enfática)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Te lo creas o no, me tiene sin cuidado.

Believe it or not, I'm not worried about it.

all or nothing

locución nominal masculina (sin punto medio)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Esta negociación es un todo o nada: o salimos con el doble de dinero, o nos quedamos sin nada.

This negotiation is all or nothing: either we leave with twice as much money, or we are left with nothing.

trick or treat

expresión (en Noche de Brujas)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Los niños exclamaron «¡truco o trato!» cuando abrí la puerta.

The kids cried "trick or treat!" when I opened the door.

use or as a shield

locución verbal (coloquial (para ocultar algo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

original version

nombre femenino (abreviatura (versión original) (movie: language)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

dead or alive

locución adverbial (da igual)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

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