要么…要么…
HSK 4- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 要么…要么… is used to present two mutually exclusive choices, of which one must be chosen.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The structure 要么…要么… (yàome... yàome...) is used to present two or more options, one of which the speaker or listener must choose. It carries the meaning of "either... or...", emphasizing that there are no other alternatives beyond those stated.
This structure is commonly used to talk about a decision that needs to be made in the present or future, conveying a sense of finality.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 要么你来，要么我去。繁: 要麼你來，要麼我去。Yàome nǐ lái, yàome wǒ qù.
Either you come or I go.
- 我们要么现在出发，要么就迟到了。繁: 我們要麼現在出發，要麼就遲到了。Wǒmen yàome xiànzài chūfā, yàome jiù chídào le.
We either leave now or we'll be late.
- 午饭要么吃米饭，要么吃面条。繁: 午飯要麼吃米飯，要麼吃麵條。Wǔfàn yàome chī mǐfàn, yàome chī miàntiáo.
For lunch, either eat rice or eat noodles.
- 你要么努力学习，要么找不到好工作。繁: 你要麼努力學習，要麼找不到好工作。Nǐ yàome nǔlì xuéxí, yàome zhǎo bu dào hǎo gōngzuò.
You must either study hard or you won't find a good job.
- 这个周末，要么在家休息，要么去旅游。繁: 這個週末，要麼在家休息，要麼去旅遊。Zhège zhōumò, yàome zài jiā xiūxi, yàome qù lǚyóu.
This weekend, either rest at home or go traveling.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:他昨天要么去了北京，要么去了上海。Correct:他昨天不是去了北京，就是去了上海。
要么…要么… is used to present choices for the future or present; it cannot be used to speculate about something that already happened in the past.
- Wrong:你要么吃米饭还是要么吃面条？Correct:你要么吃米饭，要么吃面条。
The structure 要么…要么… already carries the meaning of choice, so there is no need to add 还是.