不
bù
No, not
还是 (hái shì) — or in embedded questions
不知道 (bù zhīdào) / 想知道 (xiǎng zhīdào) + A + 还是 (háishi) + B
HSK 23.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what不知道想知道Clause还是Clause
Rule structure
还是 (háishi) links alternatives in a choice question, including one embedded in another sentence. An embedded question can follow 不知道 (bù zhīdào), “not know,” or 想知道 (xiǎng zhīdào), “want to know”: the speaker reports not knowing or wanting to know rather than asking the choice question directly. Ordinary affirmative alternatives use 或者 (huòzhě).
Rule structure
还是 (háishi) links alternatives in a choice question, including one embedded in another sentence. An embedded question can follow 不知道 (bù zhīdào), “not know,” or 想知道 (xiǎng zhīdào), “want to know”: the speaker reports not knowing or wanting to know rather than asking the choice question directly. Ordinary affirmative alternatives use 或者 (huòzhě).
Examples
我不知道他喝茶还是喝咖啡。
Wǒ bù zhīdào tā hē chá háishi hē kāfēi.
I don't know whether he drinks tea or coffee.
我不知道他是老师还是学生。
Wǒ bù zhīdào tā shì lǎoshī háishi xuésheng.
I don't know whether he is a teacher or a student.
Examples
我不知道他喝茶还是喝咖啡。
Wǒ bù zhīdào tā hē chá háishi hē kāfēi.
I don't know whether he drinks tea or coffee.
我不知道他是老师还是学生。
Wǒ bù zhīdào tā shì lǎoshī háishi xuésheng.
I don't know whether he is a teacher or a student.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “or in embedded questions” in Chinese with 还是?
Use the structure: 不知道 (bù zhīdào) / 想知道 (xiǎng zhīdào) + A + 还是 (háishi) + B. For example: 我不知道他喝茶还是喝咖啡。 — “I don't know whether he drinks tea or coffee”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我不知道他喝茶还是喝咖啡。 — “I don't know whether he drinks tea or coffee”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 2.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 2 grammar rules
跟 — with, together with
跟 (gēn)⋯⋯ + Verb
还是 — alternative question
A + 还是 (háishi) + B?
是…的 — emphasizing details
是 (shì) … 的 (de)
从中 — from among
从 (cóng) + Plural / Group + 中 (zhōng) + Verb
因为 — cause and effect
因为 (yīnwèi)⋯⋯ 所以 (suǒyǐ)⋯⋯
快 — about to happen
快 (kuài) + Verb / Adj. + 了 (le)
别 — stop doing
别 (bié) + Verb + 了 (le)
别 — negative commands
别 (bié) + Verb