Languages 1001

title: Using “还是” (háishì) for Alternative Questions in Chinese description: Learn how to ask “A or B?” questions using 还是 (háishì) in Chinese. level: HSK1 language: chinese type: fill

Ever wish you could ask “Tea or coffee?” in Chinese? Today, we meet your new best friend: 还 是 (háishì)!

What does 还是 mean?
In Chinese, 还是 (háishì) means or when you’re asking a question with two (or more) choices – like “this or that?” It’s ONLY used for questions, not for stating options.

Think of it as the magic wand for “Would you like X OR Y?”

How does it work?
Just put 还是 between the two (or more) options:

• 你想喝茶还是咖啡？
  (Nǐ xiǎng hē chá háishì kāfēi?)
  Do you want to drink tea or coffee?


• 她妈妈是老师还是医生？
  (Tā māma shì lǎoshī háishì yīshēng?)
  Is her mom a teacher or a doctor?


• 你喝水还是喝牛奶？
  (Nǐ hē shuǐ háishì hē niúnǎi?)
  Do you drink water or milk?

Form:
[Option A] 还是 [Option B]
(One “or” to rule them all. Simple!)

But wait! When NOT to use 还是?
Use 还是 ONLY in questions. For “or” in statements (like “I want tea or coffee”), use 或者 (huòzhě).

Mini-story from our friends:
Lili meets Zhiqiang at the store.

莉莉：你买苹果还是香蕉？
(Nǐ mǎi píngguǒ háishì xiāngjiāo?)
Are you buying apples or bananas?

志强（笑）：我两个都买！
(Wǒ liǎng ge dōu mǎi!)
I’m buying both! (Because why not?)

1. 你喜欢猫 狗？
(Nǐ xǐhuān māo ____ gǒu?)
Do you like cats or dogs?

2. 他是学生 老师？
(Tā shì xuésheng ____ lǎoshī?)
Is he a student or a teacher?

3. 你喝茶 咖啡？
(Nǐ hē chá ____ kāfēi?)
Do you drink tea or coffee?

4. 晓彤去学校 去商店？
(Xiǎotóng qù xuéxiào ____ qù shāngdiàn?)
Is Xiaotong going to school or to the store?

5. 你想吃米饭 面条？
(Nǐ xiǎng chī mǐfàn ____ miàntiáo?)
Do you want to eat rice or noodles?

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Pro tip: If you ever want both, just answer like Zhiqiang:
两个都要! (Liǎng ge dōu yào!) – “I want both!”
But don’t try this if your choices are “Do you want to work today or tomorrow?” You might confuse your boss!