How common it is
或是 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Guest access
Guests can browse all words. Sign in or create an account to save progress and unlock more practice.
Pronunciation focus
Say huòshì slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
或是表示或者、可能是。
huò shì biǎo shì huò zhě 、 kě néng shì。
或是 means or perhaps.
Context note
或是常用于选择、说明和口语。
huò shì cháng yòng yú xuǎn zé 、 shuō míng hé kǒu yǔ。
It is often used with choices, explanations, and spoken language.
5 examples
你想喝茶或是水？
nǐ xiǎng hē chá huò shì shuǐ？
Do you want tea or water?
他或是明天来。
tā huò shì míng tiān lái。
He may come tomorrow.
我们去公园或是商店。
wǒ men qù gōng yuán huò shì shāng diàn。
We go to the park or the store.
这个答案或是对的。
zhè ge dá àn huò shì duì de。
This answer may be correct.
你可以坐车或是走路。
nǐ kě yǐ zuò chē huò shì zǒu lù。
You can take a car or walk.
5 mini stories
老师问大家是去图书馆或是回家。
lǎo shī wèn dà jiā shì qù tú shū guǎn huò shì huí jiā。
The teacher asked whether everyone would go to the library or go home.
她还没决定是买苹果或是香蕉。
tā hái méi jué dìng shì mǎi píng guǒ huò shì xiāng jiāo。
She had not decided whether to buy apples or bananas.
或是这个，或是那个，都可以。
huò shì zhè ge， huò shì nà ge， dōu kě yǐ。
Either this or that is fine.
他或是太忙，没来参加。
tā huò shì tài máng， méi lái cān jiā。
He was perhaps too busy and did not attend.
或是加班，或是回家，他还没决定。
huò shì jiā bān， huò shì huí jiā， tā hái méi jué dìng。
Either work overtime or go home, he had not decided yet.