🔍 还是 háishì vs 或者 huòzhě – What’s the Difference?

Many Chinese learners get confused between 还是 (háishì) and 或者 (huòzhě). 

Both mean “or”, but they’re used in different situations. Let’s make it easy to understand!

🔍  Breakdown

🔹 还是 (háishì) – “or” in questions

• Use 还是 when you’re asking a question and giving choices.

• It’s used when the speaker wants the listener to choose between two (or more) options.

🔹 或者 (huòzhě) – “or” in statements

• Use 或者 in a statement when offering possibilities or alternatives without asking a question.

💬  Easy Examples

✅  还是 (háishì) – Or, for a question

• 你想喝茶还是咖啡? Nǐ xiǎng hē chá háishì kāfēi? 

• 👉🏼 Do you want tea or coffee?

• 你喜欢猫还是狗？Nǐ xǐhuan māo háishì gǒu?  

• 👉🏼 Do you like cats or dogs?

✅  或者 (huòzhě) – Or, for a statement

• 你可以坐地铁或者打车。Nǐ kěyǐ zuò dìtiě huòzhě dǎchē。 

• 👉🏼 You can take the subway or get a taxi.

• 我周末会去超市或者去图书馆。Wǒ zhōumò huì qù chāoshì huòzhě qù túshūguǎn。 

• 👉🏼 I will go to the supermarket or the library this weekend.

💡  What’s the Big Difference?

• 👉 还是 (háishì) is used for questions that offer choices.

• 👉 或者 (huòzhě) is used in statements to list possibilities or alternatives.

⚠️  Common Mistakes (Watch Out!)

You can drink tea or coffee.

• ❌ 你可以喝茶还是咖啡。Nǐ kěyǐ hē chá háishì kāfēi. (Wrong!)

• ✅ 你可以喝茶或者咖啡。Nǐ kěyǐ hē chá huòzhě kāfēi. 

Should we go to the park or the cinema?

• ❌ 我们去公园或者电影院？Wǒmen qù gōngyuán huòzhě diànyǐngyuàn? (Wrong!)

• ✅ 我们去公园还是电影院？Wǒmen qù gōngyuán háishì diànyǐngyuàn? 

🎯  Interactive Practice

Try completing the sentences below using 还是 (háishì) or 或者 (huòzhě).

1. 你想去北京 ____ 上海？(Nǐ xiǎng qù Běijīng ____ Shànghǎi?)

👉🏼 Do you want to go to Beijing or Shanghai?

✅ Correct answer: 还是 (háishì) - This is a question asking someone to choose.

2. 你可以在家学习 ____ 去图书馆。（Nǐ kěyǐ zài jiā xuéxí ____ qù túshūguǎn。）

👉🏼 You can study at home or go to the library.

✅ Correct answer: 或者 (huòzhě) – This is a statement listing two possibilities.

3. 他喜欢唱歌 ____ 跳舞？（Tā xǐhuan chànggē ____ tiàowǔ?）

👉🏼 Does he like singing or dancing?

✅ Correct answer: 还是 (háishì) – This is a choice question.

4. 明天我们去商场 ____ 看电影？（Míngtiān wǒmen qù shāngchǎng ____ kàn diànyǐng?

👉🏼 Shall we go to the mall or watch a movie tomorrow?

✅ Correct answer: 还是 (háishì) – A question asking someone to choose.

✍🏻  Quick Summary

🚀 Your Turn!

Try making two sentences—one with 还是 (háishì) and one with 或者 (huòzhě). You’re doing great! 加油 (jiāyóu)! 💯