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Expressing the only two possibilities

就是

Grammar
HSK 4

Structure

不是 + A，就是 + B

Translations

  • either
  • or

Definition

表示只有两种可能的选择或情况，相当于“要么A，要么B”。

Indicates that there are only two possible choices or situations, equivalent to 'either A or B'.

Usage

用于列举两个互斥的可能性，常放在两个选项前，结构为“要么+选项一，要么+选项二”。

Used to list two mutually exclusive possibilities, often placed before two options, structure as '要么+option1, 要么+option2'.

Examples

  • 1 要么你来，要么我去。 (Either you come or I go.)
  • 2 要么成功，要么失败，没有中间道路。 (Either succeed or fail; there is no middle ground.)
  • 3 要么现在做，要么永远不做。 (Either do it now or never do it.)
  • 4 要么同意，要么反对，不能含糊。 (Either agree or disagree; no ambiguity.)
  • 5 要么坐飞机，要么坐火车，你自己选。 (Either take a plane or take a train; you choose.)

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