CGG #74: Expressing Choices (Part 1)
💎 Chinese Grammar Gems #74
Hello Mandarin Enthusiasts! 🌟
When I first started Chinese Grammar Gems, one thing was clear: every learner’s journey is unique. Some of us are just planting seeds, figuring out basic structures and everyday vocabulary (I’ve been there!), while others are nurturing sturdy trees, refining grammar nuances, and pushing towards fluency.
And guess what? Your feedback made it clear. I needed to give you even more personalized choices.
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Now speaking of choices, today’s lesson kicks off a special three-part series dedicated precisely to that: how to express choices in Mandarin.
Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
💎 This Week’s Gem: Expressing Choices (Part 1) 💎
Life is full of choices, from simple daily decisions like “coffee or tea?” to bigger questions like “study abroad or find a job?” In Mandarin, expressing these choices requires different patterns depending on whether you’re asking a question, making a statement, or presenting options.
Today we’ll explore the fundamental ways to express choices, starting with the most basic patterns that form the foundation of choice expressions. These are the essential structures you’ll use daily to ask questions, present alternatives, and discuss possibilities!
🤷 No “Or” Needed: Context Does the Work
Sometimes Mandarin doesn’t need an explicit “or” word at all! In casual conversation, you can simply list two options with a pause and questioning tone to imply a choice. This works especially well for quick questions where context makes the meaning clear.
This pattern feels natural in spoken Chinese because the language often relies on context and intonation rather than explicit connectors. The pause (represented by a comma in writing) and rising tone on each option signals that you're presenting alternatives.
📚 Structure: [Option A]， [Option B]？
Example
我们星期六去，星期天去？
我们 / 星期六 / 去 / ，/ 星期天 / 去 / ？
Wǒmen xīngqīliù qù, xīngqītiān qù?
Are we going on Saturday or Sunday?
we / Saturday / go / Sunday / go
In speech, you would raise your tone on both 星期六去 and 星期天去 to indicate these are options being presented for choice.
❓ The Classic Choice Question: 还是 (háishì)
When you want to explicitly ask someone to choose between options, 还是 is your go-to word. It’s the standard “or” used in questions, similar to asking “A or B?” in English where you expect a definitive answer.
还是 only appears in questions or implied question contexts. If you’re making a statement about possibilities rather than asking for a choice, you’ll need different words (which we’ll cover next).
For noun options, you often add 是 before the first choice to create a clear “Is it A or is it B?” structure.
📚 Structure: (是) + [Option A] + 还是 + [Option B] ？
Example
你喜欢茶还是咖啡？
你 / 喜欢 / 茶 / 还是 / 咖啡 / ？
Nǐ xǐhuan chá háishì kāfēi?
Do you like tea or coffee?
you / like / tea / or / coffee
This question expects a single answer: either 茶 or 咖啡. The speaker wants to know the listener’s preference between these two specific options.
💭 Stating Possibilities: 或者 (huòzhě)
When you’re not asking a question but rather describing possibilities or alternatives, use 或者. This is the “or” for statements, expressing that either situation might happen or be true.
You can use 或者 once between two options, or employ the paired structure 或者 A，或者 B for emphasis, which is like saying “either A or B” in English.
Unlike 还是, 或者 doesn’t demand an immediate choice. It simply presents alternatives in a neutral, descriptive way.
📚 Structure: 或者 + [Possibility A]，或者 + [Possibility B]
Example
周末我或者在家休息，或者出去散步。
周末 / 我 / 或者 / 在家 / 休息 / ，/ 或者 / 出去 / 散步 / 。
Zhōumò wǒ huòzhě zàijiā xiūxi, huòzhě chūqù sànbù.
On weekends I either rest at home or go out for a walk.
weekend / I / or / at home / rest / or / go out / take a walk
This describes the speaker’s typical weekend activities without asking anyone to choose. Both activities are possibilities that happen at different times.
✨ Regional Variation: 或是 (huòshì)
或是 functions almost identically to 或者, meaning “or” in statements. The main difference is regional and stylistic: 或是 is more common in Taiwan Mandarin and appears more frequently in formal or literary writing.
In mainland China, you’ll hear 或者 more often in casual speech, but 或是 appears in written Chinese and formal contexts. Both patterns work the same way grammatically.
📚 Structure: 或是 + [Option A]，或是 + [Option B]
Example
小李晚上或是在家看书，或是在公园散步。
小李 / 晚上 / 或是 / 在家 / 看书 / ，/ 或是 / 在 / 公园 / 散步 / 。
Xiǎo Lǐ wǎnshang huòshì zài jiā kànshū, huòshì zài gōngyuán sànbù.
In the evenings, Little Li either reads at home or takes a walk in the park.
Little Li / evening / or / at home / read books / or / at / park / take a walk
This sentence could use 或者 with the same meaning. 或是 gives it a slightly more formal tone, which you might encounter in written descriptions or in Taiwan.
🔄 The Key Distinction: Questions vs. Statements
Understanding when to use 还是 versus 或者/或是 is crucial for natural-sounding Chinese:
还是 = “or"“in questions (expects a choice)
或者/或是 = “or” in statements (describes possibilities)
This is different from English, where “or” works in both contexts. In Chinese, the distinction reflects whether you're asking someone to pick one option or simply describing multiple possibilities.
Question Example (还是):
晚饭我们吃中餐还是西餐？
Wǎnfàn wǒmen chī Zhōngcān háishì xīcān?
Do you want Chinese food or Western food for dinner?
Statement Example (或者):
晚饭我们或者吃中餐，或者吃西餐。
Wǎnfàn wǒmen huòzhě chī Zhōngcān, huòzhě chī xīcān.
For dinner we’ll either eat Chinese food or Western food.
Curious about your Mandarin mastery?
How many words, characters, or chengyu can you recognize?
📝 Recap
No explicit ‘or’ needed: Sometimes Mandarin skips the explicit “or” word entirely! Simply list two options with a pause and questioning tone to imply choice. This natural pattern relies on context and intonation, perfect for casual, quick questions where the meaning is clear.
Using 还是 (háishì): The standard “or” for asking questions where you expect someone to choose between specific options. It only appears in questions or implied question contexts, creating that clear “A or B?” structure where you want a definitive answer.
Using 或者 (huòzhě): The “or” for statements rather than questions, used when describing possibilities or alternatives without demanding an immediate choice. You can use it once between options or pair it for emphasis, presenting alternatives in a neutral, descriptive way.
Using 或是 (huòshì): Functions almost identically to 或者 but with regional and stylistic differences: more common in Taiwan Mandarin and formal or literary writing, while 或者 dominates casual mainland speech.
⛏️ Practice Makes Perfect
These exercises will help you master the subtle differences between asking questions and stating possibilities in Mandarin. Remember, choosing the right structure isn’t just about grammar, it’s about understanding the speaker’s intent and the context of the conversation. Try translating these sentences and pay attention to whether you’re asking for a decision or simply describing options. Let’s practice!
🌱 Easy
Should we watch a movie today or tomorrow?
When we eat dinner with the whole family, my grandfather either tells us old stories or asks about our school.
Do you think we should plant red flowers or green vegetables in our garden this spring?
After work every day, my big brother either goes to run in the park or stays home to watch sports on TV.
🌳 Advanced
Should we hold this meeting online or in person?
Should we adopt traditional methods or try new solutions?
Entrepreneurs either leverage emerging technologies or capitalize on market inefficiencies.
Do you think that the exploration of Mars represents humanity’s greatest scientific achievement or that deep ocean research offers more immediate benefits for our planet?
🌟 Practice More with Pearls of Mandarin 🌟
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That’s a wrap for today!
This weekend, look out for your PM Translation and PM Comprehension worksheets. They’ll give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned and keep improving your Mandarin skills.
Happy learning,
Pierre 🐼