或者 … ，或者 … (either … or …)
IntroducedOffer alternatives rather than ask someone to select one
- You state that either tea or coffee is acceptable.
- either或者drink tea喝茶，either或者drink coffee喝咖啡，all / both都can / may可以。 — The statement offers two acceptable alternatives.
You state that either tea or coffee is acceptable. What does 或者喝茶，或者喝咖啡，都可以。 communicate?
The statement offers two acceptable alternatives. Use 还是 for a direct alternative question such as 喝茶还是咖啡？ A yes/no question can still contain 或者, so punctuation alone does not decide the word.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is either或者 … ，either或者 … (either … or …). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
either或者drink tea喝茶，or或者drink coffee喝咖啡。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Either tea or coffee: ____ 喝茶，或者喝咖啡。
或者 + A，或者 + B = either A or B: 或者喝茶,或者喝咖啡.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, either或者drink tea喝茶，either或者drink coffee喝咖啡，all / both都can / may可以。: The statement offers two acceptable alternatives.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
For a CHOICE QUESTION, which word do you use instead?
A direct alternative question asks 喝茶还是咖啡？ A yes/no question can still contain 或者, so punctuation alone is not the rule.
Know the boundary
- Use or / still还是 for a direct alternative question such as drink tea喝茶or / still还是coffee (loanword)咖啡？ A yes/no question can still contain either或者, so punctuation alone does not decide the word..
Each option is introduced by its own 或者.
Yes — 或者 A，或者 B.
In the opening situation: The statement offers two acceptable alternatives.
Use 还是 for a direct alternative question such as 喝茶还是咖啡？ A yes/no question can still contain 或者, so punctuation alone does not decide the word. The statement offers two acceptable alternatives.
Use the distinction
- The statement offers two acceptable alternatives.
- Use or / still还是 for a direct alternative question such as drink tea喝茶or / still还是coffee (loanword)咖啡？ A yes/no question can still contain either或者, so punctuation alone does not decide the word.
Read the full reference: HSK 5 grammar — Either… or….
You state that either tea or coffee is acceptable. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.