Selective Compound: 或是…或是…
或是……，或是……
Present two or more alternatives using the formal selective pattern 或是…或是…
Present two (or more) possible options or scenarios. The subject chooses or is associated with one of the alternatives. This pattern is more formal and written than 或者.
或是 can also appear as 或 alone in even more formal registers. Unlike 还是 (used in questions), 或是…或是… is used in statements to lay out alternatives without directly asking.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Selective Compound: 或是…或是… (或是……，或是……)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 或是……，或是…… pattern
New here?
Understanding 或是……，或是……
You already know 还是 for asking "or" questions and 或者 for stating alternatives in casual speech. At HSK 5, 或是…或是… adds a more formal and literary layer. This pattern is commonly found in written Chinese, speeches, and formal discussions. It lays out two possibilities without necessarily asking the listener to choose — it may simply describe two potential scenarios. For example, 这件事或是哥哥做的，或是弟弟做的 (This was done either by the older brother or the younger brother) presents two possibilities as a matter of analysis, not a question. In formal writing, 或是 can be shortened to 或. The pattern can also extend to three or more alternatives: 或是A，或是B，或是C.
Key Points
- 或是…或是… presents alternatives in statements, not questions.
- More formal than 或者 — preferred in written Chinese and formal speech.
- Can be shortened to 或…或… in very formal or literary contexts.
- Unlike 还是 (which asks for a choice), 或是…或是… states possibilities.
- Can list more than two alternatives: 或是A，或是B，或是C.
- Often used when analyzing possibilities or offering options to someone.
In formal Chinese writing — business emails, academic papers, and official notices — 或是 or 或 is strongly preferred over 或者. Mastering this register distinction is essential for professional-level Chinese.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
这件事或是哥哥做的，或是弟弟做的。
This was done either by the older brother or the younger brother.
你或是参加这次考试，或是明年再学一遍这门课。
Either you take this exam, or you study this course again next year.
周末我们或是去爬山，或是去看电影。
This weekend we will either go hiking or see a movie.
这个问题或是老师没讲清楚，或是学生没听懂。
This problem is either because the teacher did not explain clearly, or because the students did not understand.
明天或是我去，或是他去，总得有人去。
Tomorrow either I go or he goes — someone has to go.
你可以或是坐公交车，或是坐地铁，或是打车。
You can either take the bus, the subway, or a taxi.
Three alternatives
Common Mistakes
When directly asking someone to make a choice, use 还是, not 或是. 或是…或是… is for statements presenting alternatives, not for direct choice questions.
或是 must present at least two alternatives. A single 或是 without a partner does not form this pattern correctly.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think of 或是…或是… as "either A or B" in English formal writing — it presents possibilities rather than asking.
In emails and formal writing, 或是 (or simply 或) is much more appropriate than 或者.
You can extend the pattern to three or more alternatives — just add another 或是.
Remember: 还是 = asking a question ("which one?"), 或是…或是… = stating possibilities ("it could be A or B").
Homework
Write five sentences using 或是…或是…: one analyzing who did something, one offering transportation options, one discussing weekend plans, one about study choices, and one with three alternatives.