HSK 3 · VERSION 2.0#85
Comparing “háishì” and “huòzhě”
还是 vs 或者
How it works
Both mean “or,” but they are used differently.
The difference
还是 = used in questions offering choices 或者 = used in statements
Example sentences
你想喝茶还是咖啡？
Do you want tea or coffee?
你可以喝茶，或者喝咖啡。
You can drink tea or coffee.
我们今天去还是明天去？ / 我们今天去，或者明天去。
Are we going today or tomorrow? / We can go today or tomorrow.
Usage note
Use 还是 in an alternative question that asks someone to choose; use 或者 to offer alternatives in a statement. This is a common pattern, rather than a rule for every question: 或者 can also appear inside a yes–no question.