{{Grammar Box}} Both 还是 (háishì) and 或者 (huòzhě) mean “or” and are used to present a choice. However, 还是 is normally used when asking a question, and 或者 is mostly for declarative sentences. == 还是 is used to offer choices in a question == [[Offering choices with "haishi"|When asking a question, 还是 can be used to provide choices or options.]] ===Structure=== This grammar pattern is fairly flexible. You can create all kinds of questions with 还是 using the following structure.
Subj. + Verb + Option A + 还是 + Option B
=== Examples ===
== 或者 is used to give options in declarative sentences == [["Or" in statements|或者 is used in declarative sentences in which options are presented.]] === Structure ===
Option 1 + 或者 + Option 2
The structure for 或者 and 还是 is the same, but the meaning, as well as the context in which 或者 is needed, is different. 或者 drops the "A or B, PICK ONE" atttitude in favor of a more open, "maybe A, perhaps B... (or maybe both or neither?)" So it's less exclusive and less demanding of a choice RIGHT NOW. === Examples ===
== 还是 is used for questions that are embedded in sentences == Deciding whether or not to use 还是 becomes difficult with sentences that contain statements like “I don’t know,” “I want to know,” “I’m not sure,” etc. Alone, these statements are not technically questions. However, when used in a sentence that contains choices, these statements imply that a question must be answered. Therefore, you must use 还是. === Examples===
== 还是 is used to indicate a preferred course of action == ===Structure=== [["Had better" with "haishi"|还是 can also be used to express the English words "ought to" or "had better."]] The use of 还是 implies that the there were originally two options and the speaker has decided on one. In this grammar structure, 还是 often comes before the verb and sometimes before the subject. 吧 is often placed at the end of the statement to emphasize that [[Suggestions with "ba"|it is a suggestion]]. ===Examples===
== 或者 can be repeated when providing options == [[Providing two options with double "huozhe"|Another easy way to use 或者 to give two options is to place 或者 before both options.]] ===Structure===
或者 A，或者 B
Almost anything can be placed after either 或者. ===Examples===
== See Also == * [["Or" in statements]] * [[Providing two options with double "huozhe"]] * [[Offering choices with "haishi"]] * [["Had better" with "haishi"]] == Sources and further reading == === Books === * [[Basic Patterns of Chinese Grammar]] (pp. 74-5) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933330899/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1933330899 →buy] * [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 257-8) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy] * [[Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition]] (pp. 144) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415372615/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0415372615 →buy] * [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 259-60)　[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy] * [[New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4)]] (pp. 103) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561913192/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561913192 →buy] * [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 76-7, 257-8)　[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy] * [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)]] (pp. 179) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561910401/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561910401 →buy] * [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)]] (pp. 206-7, 251) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561926235/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7561926235 →buy] *[[现代汉语八百词（增订本）]] (pp. 238) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy] ===Websites=== * Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: [http://comet.cls.yale.edu/chineseusagedictionary/0213.html Comparing 还是 and 或者] [[Category:grammar comparison]] {{Basic Grammar|还是|B1|还是 vs 或者|你 喝 茶 还是 喝 咖啡？明天 或者 后天。|grammar point|ASGQJ5IC}} {{Rel char|或者}} {{Rel char|还}} {{Rel char|是}} {{Similar|"Or" in statements}} {{Similar|Providing two options with double "huozhe"}} {{Similar|Offering choices with "haishi"}} {{Similar|"Had better" with "haishi"}} {{Used for|Giving alternatives}} {{Used for|Asking questions}} {{Translation|or}} {{Comparison|Conjunctions}}