Alternative questions

In questions “还是” (háishì) asks the listener to choose between two or more options.

Basic structure

（是）A + 还是 + B？

Meaning: A, or B?

妈(Mā)妈(ma)，是(shì)您(nín)准(zhǔn)备(bèi)考(kǎo)试(shì)还(hái)是(shì)我(wǒ)准(zhǔn)备(bèi)考(kǎo)试(shì)？

Mom, are you preparing for the exam, or am I?

是您准备考试 + 还是 + 我准备考试？ are you preparing + or + am I preparing?

妈(mā)妈(ma)Mom

是(shì)您(nín)准(zhǔn)备(bèi)考(kǎo)试(shì)are you preparing for the exam

还(hái)是(shì)or

我(wǒ)准(zhǔn)备(bèi)考(kǎo)试(shì)am I preparing for the exam

你(Nǐ)更(gèng)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)打(dǎ)篮(lán)球(qiú)、踢(tī)足(zú)球(qiú)还(hái)是(shì)游(yóu)泳(yǒng)？

Do you prefer basketball, football, or swimming?

打篮球、踢足球 + 还是 + 游泳？ basketball, football + or + swimming?

你(nǐ)you

更(gèng)喜(xǐ)欢(huan)prefer

打(dǎ)篮(lán)球(qiú)play basketball

踢(tī)足(zú)球(qiú)play football

还(hái)是(shì)or

游(yóu)泳(yǒng)swim

我(Wǒ)们(men)什(shén)么(me)时(shí)候(hou)去(qù)看(kàn)电(diàn)影(yǐng)？今(Jīn)天(tiān)还(hái)是(shì)明(míng)天(tiān)？

When shall we go to the cinema? Today or tomorrow?

今天 + 还是 + 明天？ today + or + tomorrow?

我(wǒ)们(men)什(shén)么(me)时(shí)候(hou)去(qù)看(kàn)电(diàn)影(yǐng)？when shall we go to the cinema?

今(jīn)天(tiān)today

还(hái)是(shì)or

明(míng)天(tiān)tomorrow

A + 还是 + B？

Meaning: the listener is asked to pick one of two or more options.

今天还是明天？— Today or tomorrow? 打篮球还是游泳？— Basketball or swimming? 你去还是我去？— Are you going, or am I?