Some Chinese learners also mix up 还是 (háishi) with 或者 (huòzhě) as they both mean “or”. However, there is a big difference between 还是 (háishi) and 或者 (huòzhě) when it comes to the usage of these two words.

还是 (Háishi) vs. 或者 (Huòzhě)

还是 (háishi) is usually used to ask questions such as “Do you want to drink tea or coffee?”; “Do you like Shanghai or Beijing?”, it’s like someone is asking you to make a choice from two or more options.

或者 (huòzhě) is used to make a statement like “Either tea or coffee is OK.” Now let’s have a look at some examples to help you understand the difference between the two words:

Examples

你要茶还是咖啡?
Nǐ yào chá háishi kāfēi?
Do you want tea or coffee?

你喜欢上海还是北京？
Nǐ xǐhuan Shànghǎi háishi Běijīng?
Do you like Shanghai or Beijing?

A: 你要茶还是咖啡？
A: Nǐ yào chá háishi kāfēi?
A: Would you like tea or coffee?

B: 茶或者咖啡。
B: Either tea or coffee is OK.
B: Chá huòzhě kāfēi.