或者
huòzhě/xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/
The English word "or" is expressed in Chinese as 或者 (huòzhě).
或者 is a conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. It is versatile enough to connect nouns, verbs or entire clauses to indicate these alternatives.
Which one should you use?
While 或者 is used for alternatives in declarative statements, you must use 还是 (háishì) instead when you are asking a direct question that offers a choice between alternatives. For a more formal or literary tone in written language, you can use 抑或.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese grammar, 或者 is used to express alternatives within declarative statements. It is not used to form direct questions.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is huòzhě and the IPA is /xu̯ɔ⁵¹ ʈʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use 或者 when asking a direct question that presents choices. Use 还是 instead.
Did you know?
- While 或者 is used for 'or' in statements, the alternative word 还是 can also mean 'still' when it is not used as a conjunction, meaning one word serves two completely different grammatical functions.
- In very casual speech, speakers may avoid both 或者 and 还是 by simply listing the options with a pause, relying on the listener to infer the choice.
- The formal version 抑或 is so rare in modern speech that using it in a casual conversation would sound like a character from a historical drama or a classical poem.
Examples in context
- 你或者我会被选中。You or I will be chosen.This example shows how to use 或者 to connect subjects in a statement.Tatoeba #1878278 by sadhen, translation #17724 by CK
- 要加点牛奶或者糖吗？Any milk or sugar?This example shows how to use 或者 to connect nouns in a statement.Tatoeba #13901003 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #1042297 by yessoos
- 你说法语或者英语吗？Do you speak French or English?This example shows how to use 或者 to connect verbs or languages in a statement.Tatoeba #13999388 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #13908238 by mexicanhere
- 明天我们可以爬山， 抑或 去海边放松心情。Tomorrow we can either go mountain climbing or relax by the seaside.
- 你要吃火锅 还是 烧烤？Do you want to eat hot pot or barbecue?
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 雨婷 Yuting我们吃面条或者米饭吧。Wǒmen chī miàntiáo huòzhě mǐfàn ba.Let's eat noodles or rice.
- 浩然 Haoran我都行，你决定吧。Wǒ dōu xíng, nǐ juédìng ba.Either is fine with me, you decide.
- 雨婷 Yuting那去吃面条或者饺子？Nà qù chī miàntiáo huòzhě jiǎozi?Then how about noodles or dumplings?
- 浩然 Haoran好的，我们走吧。Hǎo de, wǒmen zǒu ba.Okay, let's go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 或者, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
