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Offering choices with 还是 ("hai2shi4")

还是 háishì

Conjunction
HSK 1

Structure

Option A + 还是 + Option B ? Subj. + Verb + Option A + 还是 + Option B ?

Translations

  • or

Definition

用于疑问句中列举两个或多个选项，表示选择关系，相当于英语中的'or'（用于提供选择）。

Used in questions to list two or more options, indicating a choice, equivalent to 'or' in English when offering choices.

Usage

通常用于疑问句，连接两个或多个选项，让听话人在其中选择。结构为：'A还是B？' 有时也可用于陈述句中表示'或者'，但提供选择时以疑问句为主。

Typically used in questions to connect two or more options, asking the listener to choose. The structure is 'A haishi B?' It can also be used in declarative sentences to mean 'or', but when offering choices, it is mainly used in questions.

Examples

  • 1 你想喝茶还是咖啡？(Would you like tea or coffee?)
  • 2 我们坐地铁还是打车去机场？(Should we take the subway or a taxi to the airport?)
  • 3 今天是星期二还是星期三？(Is today Tuesday or Wednesday?)
  • 4 你要买红色还是蓝色的这件衣服？(Do you want to buy this dress in red or blue?)
  • 5 周末我们去爬山还是看电影？(This weekend, shall we go hiking or watch a movie?)

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