或者 huòzhě

或者（huòzhě）means “or (in statements, expressing choice — not in questions)”. 或者 expresses a choice between options within a statement. Formation: A+或者+B（陈述句表选择）

or (in statements, expressing choice — not in questions)

HSK3

Formation

A+或者+B（陈述句表选择）

Explanation

或者 expresses a choice between options within a statement. Unlike 还是, it is not used in questions asking the listener to choose. It can link nouns, verbs, or whole clauses, and can be doubled as 或者…或者… to list alternatives.

Examples

周末我常常看书或者看电影。
zhōumò wǒ chángcháng kàn shū huòzhě kàn diànyǐng.
On weekends I often read books or watch movies.
你可以坐地铁，或者坐公交车。
nǐ kěyǐ zuò dìtiě, huòzhě zuò gōngjiāochē.
You can take the subway, or take the bus.

Note

Use 还是, not 或者, in choice questions (你喝茶还是咖啡?).

FAQ

或者 — what does it mean and how is it used?

or (in statements, expressing choice — not in questions). 或者 expresses a choice between options within a statement. Unlike 还是, it is not used in questions asking the listener to choose. It can link nouns, verbs, or whole clauses, and can be doubled as 或者…或者… to list alternatives.

或者 — how do you form it?

A+或者+B（陈述句表选择）

或者 — any usage notes?

Use 还是, not 或者, in choice questions (你喝茶还是咖啡?).

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