Alternative questions
In questions “还是” (háishì) asks the listener to choose between two or more options.
Basic structure
（是）A + 还是 + B？
A, or B?
Examples
妈妈，是您准备考试还是我准备考试？
妈妈māmaMom
是您准备考试shì nín zhǔnbèi kǎoshìare you preparing for the exam
还是háishìor
我准备考试wǒ zhǔnbèi kǎoshìam I preparing for the exam
你更喜欢打篮球、踢足球还是游泳？
你nǐyou
更喜欢gèng xǐhuanprefer
打篮球dǎ lánqiúplay basketball
踢足球tī zúqiúplay football
还是háishìor
游泳yóuyǒngswim
我们什么时候去看电影？今天还是明天？
我们什么时候去看电影？wǒmen shénme shíhou qù kàn diànyǐng?when shall we go to the cinema?
今天jīntiāntoday
还是háishìor
明天míngtiāntomorrow
Quick rule
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?