“还是” vs “或者”
In Chinese both “还是” (háishì) and “或者” (huòzhě) mean “or”.
But they are used in different kinds of sentence.
1. 还是 — in questions
“还是” (háishì) is normally used in questions.
It names two or more options and asks the listener to choose between them.
Core Meaning
A or B?
Structure
A + 还是 + B？
我们用会议室的电脑还是自己的笔记本电脑？
Are we using the computer in the meeting room, or our own laptop?
Structure
会议室的电脑 + 还是 + 自己的笔记本电脑？
the meeting-room computer + or + our own laptop?
会议室的电脑 — the computer in the meeting room
还是 — or
自己的笔记本电脑 — our own laptop
This sentence asks you to pick one of two options.
我们今天去、明天去还是后天去？
Are we going today, tomorrow or the day after?
Structure
今天去 + 明天去 + 还是 + 后天去？
go today + go tomorrow + or + go the day after?
今天去 — to go today
明天去 — to go tomorrow
还是 — or
后天去 — to go the day after tomorrow
Here you are asked to pick one of three options.
2. 或者 — in statements
“或者” (huòzhě) is used mainly in statements.
It is not normally used in questions.
Core Meaning
A or B
Structure
A + 或者 + B
会议室的电脑或者自己的电脑都可以。
The meeting-room computer or your own — either one is fine.
Structure
会议室的电脑 + 或者 + 自己的电脑 + 都可以
the meeting-room computer + or + your own computer + either is fine
会议室的电脑 — the meeting-room computer
或者 — or
自己的电脑 — your own computer
都可以 — either one is fine
你可以坐地铁或者打车去学校。
You can get to school by metro or by taxi.
Structure
坐地铁 + 或者 + 打车 + 去学校
take the metro + or + take a taxi + to school
坐地铁 — to take the metro
或者 — or
打车 — to take a taxi
去学校 — to go to school
The Difference in Short
还是
A + 还是 + B？
Used in a question. It asks the listener to choose.
Example:
你喝茶还是喝咖啡？
Will you have tea or coffee?
或者
A + 或者 + B
Used in a statement. It says either of two options is possible.
Example:
你可以坐地铁或者打车。
You can go by metro or by taxi.