或者 (huòzhě) — or (in statements)
HSK 2 | conjunction | presents alternatives in a statement; contrast with 还是 for questions
或者 (huòzhě)
或者 means "or" in statements and declarative sentences. This is a KEY learner confusion: 或者 belongs in statements, while 还是 (háishì) belongs in questions. Using 或者 in a question sounds unnatural.
Meanings
- [conjunction] Or (used in statements, not in questions).
Example Sentences
你可以坐公共汽车或者打车去。 Nǐ kěyǐ zuò gōnggòng qìchē huòzhě dǎ chē qù. You can take the bus or take a taxi to get there.
周六或者周日我都可以。 Zhōuliù huòzhě zhōurì wǒ dōu kěyǐ. Saturday or Sunday both work for me.
他会说英语或者法语。 Tā huì shuō yīngyǔ huòzhě fǎyǔ. He can speak English or French.
你可以打电话或者发信息给我。 Nǐ kěyǐ dǎ diànhuà huòzhě fā xìnxī gěi wǒ. You can call or send me a message.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A或者B | A or B (in a statement) |
| 或者…或者… | either... or... |
| 或者说 | or rather, or to put it another way |
| 两个或者三个 | two or three |
| 可以或者不可以 | can or cannot |
Memory Hook
或 contains 口 (mouth) and 戈 (spear): you present options with force in a declaration. Statements use 或者. Questions use 还是.