还是
HSK 2- Questions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Choice A还是Choice B?
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
还是 used in questions to present a choice between two or more options, meaning 'or'.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
You use 还是 (huánshì) when forming choice questions, meaning "...or...". It requires the listener to choose one of the options you present.
Important note: 还是 is only used in questions. If you want to say "or" in a declarative (plain statement) sentence, you must use 或者 (huòzhě). This is a very common mistake, so pay close attention!
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 你喝茶还是咖啡？繁: 你喝茶還是咖啡？Nǐ hē chá háishì kāfēi?
Do you drink tea or coffee?
- 我们今天去还是明天去？繁: 我們今天去還是明天去？Wǒmen jīntiān qù háishì míngtiān qù?
Are we going today or tomorrow?
- 你坐公交车还是坐地铁？繁: 你坐公交車還是坐地鐵？Nǐ zuò gōngjiāochē háishì zuò dìtiě?
Do you take the bus or the subway?
- 这件衣服你喜欢还是不喜欢？繁: 這件衣服你喜歡還是不喜歡？Zhè jiàn yīfu nǐ xǐhuān háishì bù xǐhuān?
Do you like this piece of clothing or not?
- 他是美国人还是英国人？繁: 他是美國人還是英國人？Tā shì Měiguórén háishì Yīngguórén?
Is he American or British?
Common mistakes
- Wrong:茶还是咖啡，我都可以。Correct:茶或者咖啡，我都可以。
还是 is only used in questions. When listing options in declarative sentences (not questions), you must use 或者 instead.