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或者

HSK 2
  • Conjunctions

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Choice A或者Choice B

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

Used to connect two or more alternatives in a declarative sentence, carrying the meaning of 'or/either…or'.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

You use 或者 (huòzhě) when presenting possibilities or alternatives in a declarative sentence, not a question. It is like 'either... or...' in English.

The most important point to remember is that 或者 is used in declarative sentences, while 还是 (háishì) is used in choice questions. Don't confuse the two! 或者 can connect nouns, verbs, or entire phrases.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 我想喝咖啡或者茶。
    Wǒ xiǎng hē kāfēi huòzhě chá.

    I want to drink coffee or tea.

  2. 周末我想看书或者看电影。
    繁: 週末我想看書或者看電影。Zhōumò wǒ xiǎng kàn shū huòzhě kàn diànyǐng.

    On weekends I want to read books or watch movies.

  3. 我们可以今天或者明天去。
    繁: 我們可以今天或者明天去。Wǒmen kěyǐ jīntiān huòzhě míngtiān qù.

    We can go today or tomorrow.

  4. 你可以坐地铁或者坐公交车。
    繁: 你可以坐地鐵或者坐公交車。Nǐ kěyǐ zuò dìtiě huòzhě zuò gōngjiāochē.

    You can take the subway or the bus.

  5. 中午吃米饭或者面条都行。
    繁: 中午吃米飯或者麵條都行。Zhōngwǔ chī mǐfàn huòzhě miàntiáo dōu xíng.

    For lunch, eating rice or noodles are both fine.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:你想喝咖啡或者茶？
    Correct:你想喝咖啡还是茶？

    In choice questions, use `还是` (háishì), not `或者`. `或者` is only used in declarative sentences.