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How to say “either… or…” in Chinese with 或者

或者 (huòzhě) + Option A， 或者 (huòzhě) + Option B

或者 (huò zhě) — either… or…

HSK 5Sentence Patterns

Rule structure

Double 或者 (huòzhě) presents two alternatives, often in a neutral or open choice context. Unlike 还是 (háishi), it is not used in questions.

Examples

或者你去，或者我去，我们得去一个人。

Huòzhě nǐ qù, huòzhě wǒ qù, wǒmen děi qù yī gè rén.

Either you go, or I go; one of us has to go.

Practice

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Characters

Words from this rule

或者

huòzhě

Or

你

nǐ

You

去

qù

To go

我

wǒ

I, me

我们

wǒmen

We, us

得

de

Structural particle, indicates manner or result of an action

一

yī

One, 1

个人

gè rén

Individual; personal

坐

zuò

To sit, to take (transportation)

火车

huǒ chē

Train

飞机

fēijī

Airplane

都

dōu

All, both

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “either… or…” in Chinese with 或者?

Use the structure: 或者 (huòzhě) + Option A， 或者 (huòzhě) + Option B. For example: 或者你去，或者我去，我们得去一个人。 — “Either you go, or I go; one of us has to go”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

或者你去，或者我去，我们得去一个人。 — “Either you go, or I go; one of us has to go”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.

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More HSK 5 grammar rules

有关的 — related to…

跟 (gēn) / 和 (hé) / 与 (yǔ) + Noun + 有关的 (yǒuguān de) + Noun

不但…甚至连 — not only… even…

不但 (búdàn) + Clause 1, 甚至 (shènzhì) + 连 (lián) + Noun + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + Verb

所 — so-called

所谓 (suǒwèi) + Noun Phrase

一面 — simultaneous actions

一面 (yímiàn) + Verb 1, 一面 (yímiàn) + Verb 2

等于 — equal to

A + 等于 (děngyú) + B

更不用说 — let alone

⋯⋯，更不用说 (gèng bùyòng shuō)⋯⋯

而已 — that's all

Clause + 而已 (éryǐ)

别说 — let alone

别说 (biéshuō)⋯⋯，就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯