Or in Chinese Explained: Grammar Rules and Examples

Understanding how to express Or in Chinese in Chinese is essential for forming natural questions and statements. This guide explains the difference between 还是 and 或者, shows when each is used, and provides clear examples to help learners use both forms confidently and correctly.

I. What “Or” Means in Chinese

In Chinese, the word “or” is not translated with a single equivalent word like it is in English. Instead, Mandarin uses different words for “or” depending on the type of sentence—whether it's a statement or a question. The two most commonly used words are:

• 或者 (huòzhě) – typically used in statements

• 还是 (háishì) – usually used in questions

Even though both can be translated as “or” in English, they are not interchangeable. This distinction is one of the most common sources of confusion for beginners learning Chinese grammar.

Understanding when and how to use each term correctly is essential not only for grammatical accuracy but also for sounding natural in everyday conversations. By mastering these two forms of “or,” learners can express choices, alternatives, and preferences clearly and correctly in both written and spoken Chinese.

1. When to Use 还是 vs 或者

In Mandarin Chinese, both 还是 (háishì) and 或者 (huòzhě) translate to “or” in English—but they are used in different types of sentences.

Use 还是 (háishì) in Questions

The word 还是 is used when you are offering a choice in a question, especially when asking someone to choose between two or more options. Structure:

Subject + Verb + Option A + 还是 + Option B?

Example:

• 你想喝茶还是咖啡？
  (Do you want tea or coffee?)

In this case, the speaker is expecting the listener to choose one of the two options. That’s why 还是 is the correct choice here.

You will see 还是 frequently used in yes/no questions or choice questions in everyday Mandarin.

Use 或者 (huòzhě) in Statements

The word 或者 is used when presenting options in a declarative sentence—that is, simply stating possibilities rather than asking a question. Structure:

Subject + Verb + Option A + 或者 + Option B

Example:

• 我们可以坐地铁或者打车。
  (We can take the subway or a taxi.)

This sentence is not asking the listener to choose; it's suggesting possible alternatives. So 或者 fits naturally here.

If you use 或者 in a question, it sounds unnatural or even incorrect. Similarly, using 还是 in a statement may confuse the listener or suggest an unintended tone.

2. Examples of Or in Chinese 

Seeing real examples is one of the most effective ways to learn how “or” is used in Mandarin. Below are categorized sentence examples showing how to use 还是 (háishì) and 或者 (huòzhě) clearly in different contexts.

Beginner Examples (HSK 1–2 level)

At this level, sentences are simpler and focus on daily activities and basic choices.

Using 还是 (questions):

• 你喜欢苹果还是香蕉？
  (Do you like apples or bananas?)

• 他是老师还是学生？
  (Is he a teacher or a student?)

Using 或者 (statements):

• 我想喝水或者咖啡。
  (I want to drink water or coffee.)

• 他们明天或者后天来。
  (They will come tomorrow or the day after.)

These patterns are commonly used in everyday conversations and help learners get comfortable with choice-based phrasing.

Intermediate Examples (HSK 3–4 level)

As learners progress, they encounter more complex sentence structures with multiple clauses or contextual nuances.

Using 还是 (questions):

• 你是打算自己做饭，还是出去吃？
  (Are you planning to cook yourself, or eat out?)

• 我们是坐火车去，还是开车去？
  (Are we taking the train or driving there?)

Using 或者 (statements):

• 如果明天下雨，我们或者留在家，或者去看电影。
  (If it rains tomorrow, we’ll either stay home or go see a movie.)

• 你应该早点休息，或者出去走走，放松一下。
  (You should rest early, or go for a walk to relax.)

These examples demonstrate how “or” in Chinese can go beyond simple choices and support richer, more nuanced communication.

II. Related Conjunctions: Either/Or, Neither/Nor in Chinese

While learning how to say “or” in Chinese, it’s also important to understand how related expressions like “either…or…” and “neither…nor…” are used. These patterns don’t have direct one-to-one translations, but Mandarin offers natural grammar structures that convey the same meaning. Mastering them will help you build more nuanced and expressive sentences.

How to Say “Either...or...” in Chinese

To express “either…or…”, Chinese usually repeats the word 要么 (yàome) before both choices. Structure:

要么 + Option A + ，要么 + Option B

Examples:

• 要么你来我家，要么我去你家。
  (Either you come to my place, or I go to yours.)

• 我们要么今天出发，要么明天早上走。
  (We either leave today or go tomorrow morning.)

Note: This structure implies a clear decision between two alternatives, more formal or emphatic than just using 或者 or 还是.

How to Say “Neither…nor…” in Chinese

For expressing “neither…nor…”, the common structure in Mandarin involves using two negative statements connected by 也不 (yě bù) or other negations like 都不 (dōu bù). Structures:

A 也不…, B 也不…

A 和 B 都不…

Examples:

• 他咖啡也不喝，茶也不喝。
  (He drinks neither coffee nor tea.)

• 我爸爸妈妈都不会说英语。
  (Neither my father nor my mother can speak English.)

These negative patterns are common in spoken Mandarin and more idiomatic than trying to translate literally.

Context Tips

• “Either/or” structures are helpful for giving two options formally or politely.

• “Neither/nor” is typically used to express absence of preference, ability, or action.

• Native speakers don’t always mirror English logic — Chinese often breaks up these expressions into two sentences or clauses.

III. Cultural Notes: How Chinese People Use “Or” in Real Life

Understanding the grammar behind “or” in Chinese is important, but so is knowing how native speakers actually use it in daily life. Language is not just rules and vocabulary—it's also context, tone, and cultural nuance. In real-world Chinese, the way people express choices often reflects politeness, indirectness, and conversational style.

Politeness and Indirectness in Making Choices

In many Western languages, offering a clear choice using “or” is direct and expected. However, in Chinese—especially in polite or formal settings—being too direct can sound abrupt or overly forceful.

Because of this, native speakers may:

• Avoid using 还是 (háishì) in direct yes/no questions in formal settings.

• Offer suggestions using softer language (e.g., may use “maybe” words like 可以 or 可能).

• Imply a choice without explicitly using “or”.

Example – Indirect suggestion:

• 你可以试试看喝一点茶？(You could maybe try drinking a bit of tea?)
  Rather than directly saying: “Do you want tea or coffee?”

This indirect approach makes the conversation more culturally appropriate in contexts like customer service, business meetings, or conflict avoidance.

Regional or Contextual Differences

Depending on the region or Chinese-speaking community (Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore), the tone and frequency of using 或者 vs 还是 may vary slightly. For example:

• In Taiwan, people may use 或 (without 者) in casual conversation for the same meaning.

• In formal writing, speakers will usually avoid 还是 and favor phrases like 要么…要么 to sound more structured.

• Some regions or generations may use slang or idiomatic expressions to convey choices outside of standard grammar.

Shared Understanding Without Saying "Or"

In daily conversation, it’s also common for native speakers to imply a choice without explicitly saying “or”, especially if the options are understood from context. This is different from English, where using “or” is often necessary for clarity.

Example:

• 我们吃饺子，火锅也可以。
  (We’ll have dumplings—hot pot works too.)
  → The “or” is implied between the two options, but not directly stated.

This kind of expression highlights how communication in Chinese often relies on shared understanding and tone, not just grammar.

Above is the full article by PREP on how to say and use “or” in Chinese in both language and cultural contexts. We hope this guide helps you understand the key differences between 还是 and 或者, apply them with greater confidence, and recognize how real-life usage may vary with tone and setting. Keep exploring with PREP to strengthen your Chinese, step by step.