Learn Asking "or" questions with 还是 (háishi) in Mandarin Chinese. Clear HSK 2 grammar explanation with examples in Chinese, pinyin, and English. Free on Dumplingo.
Asking "or" questions with 还是 (háishi) When you want to ask a question offering two (or more) choices, use 还是 (háishi). It means "or" in questions, forcing the listener to choose between options. Basic structure Option A + 还是 + Option B + ? Examples 1. 你喝茶还是喝咖啡？ nǐ hē chá háishi hē kāfēi? Do you drink tea or coffee? / Would you like tea or coffee? - The speaker is asking you to choose one. 2. 你去还是不去？ nǐ qù háishi bù qù? Are you going or not? - A direct choice between going and not going. 3. 这是你的还是他的？ zhè shì nǐ de háishi tā de? Is this yours or his? - Asking about ownership. With verbs 4. 我们走路还是坐车？ wǒmen zǒulù háishi zuòchē? Shall we walk or take a car? 5. 你想吃中餐还是西餐？ nǐ xiǎng chī zhōngcān háishi xīcān? Do you want to eat Chinese food or Western food? Important: 还是 vs 或者 - **还是** (háishi) = "or" in QUESTIONS only - **或者** (huòzhě) = "or" in STATEMENTS Examples: 6. 你要苹果还是香蕉？(Question) nǐ yào píngguǒ háishi xiāngjiāo? Do you want apples or bananas? 7. 我想吃苹果或者香蕉。(Statement) wǒ xiǎng chī píngguǒ huòzhě xiāngjiāo. I want to eat apples or bananas. ❌ Wrong: 你要苹果或者香蕉？ ❌ Wrong: 我想吃苹果还是香蕉。 More than two options You can offer multiple choices: 8. 你想去北京、上海还是广州？ nǐ xiǎng qù Běijīng, Shànghǎi háishi Guǎngzhōu? Do you want to go to Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou? More examples 9. 今天星期三还是星期四？ jīntiān xīngqīsān háishi xīngqīsì? Is today Wednesday or Thursday? 10. 你喜欢夏天还是冬天？ nǐ xǐhuan xiàtiān háishi dōngtiān? Do you like summer or winter? 11. 这个贵还是那个贵？ zhège guì háishi nàge guì? Is this one expensive or is that one expensive? 12. 你明天来还是后天来？ nǐ míngtiān lái háishi hòutiān lái? Are you coming tomorrow or the day after tomorrow? Key points - Use 还是 to ask "or" questions with choices - Use 或者 for "or" in statements - Can be used with verbs, nouns, adjectives, time words, etc. - Common pattern: [Verb] + A + 还是 + [Verb] + B? --- Next grammar point: [Expressing "a little" with 有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr)](/grammar/hsk2/expressing_a_little_with_youdi