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HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 5 min read

或是...，或是... for “Either … Or …”

或是……，或是…… lists two or more possibilities in a statement, like 或者 but a little more formal.

Pattern

subject + 或是 + option A，或是 + option B

或是 means “or” and is used in statements, not questions. Repeated before each option, 或是……，或是…… means “either … or …” or “sometimes … sometimes …,” listing the possibilities. It means the same as 或者 but sounds a little more formal.

周末我们或是去爬山，或是去看电影。

When to use 或是...，或是... for “Either … Or …”

Put 或是 before each option. The options are usually verb phrases in the same position: 周末我们或是去爬山，或是去看电影. The sentence states that one of these things happens (or happens at different times); it does not ask the listener to choose. 或是 can also join two words or phrases just once: 明天或是后天.

每天晚上，他或是看书，或是听音乐。

Every evening he either reads or listens to music.

你或是打电话，或是发邮件，都可以。

You can either phone or send an email; either is fine.

这件事或是你去说，或是我去说，总得有人告诉他。

Either you tell him or I do; someone has to let him know.

放假的时候，同学们或是回老家，或是出去旅行。

During the holidays, the students either go back to their hometowns or travel.

Common traps

  • Don’t use 或是 in a choice question: 你去还是不去？, not 你去或是不去？
  • Repeat 或是 in the same position before each option: 或是去爬山，或是去看电影.
  • 或是 sounds slightly formal; in everyday speech 或者 is more common.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

放假的时候，同学们或是回老家， 出去旅行

During the holidays, the students either go back to their hometowns or travel
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