How to Use Hai shi or Huo Zhe in Mandarin Chinese?

A lot of foreigner when they learn Mandarin got confused with how to say or in Chinese, there are actually two ways or saying it. Hai shi and Huo Zhe are quite commonly used in Mandarin Chinese, they mean OR in English.

Let me give you some examples:

1. Do you like coffee or tea? Nǐ xǐhuān kāfēi háishì chá? 你喜欢咖啡还是茶？
2. Do you want to this book or that book? Nǐ yào zhè běn shū háishì nà běn shū?你要这本书还是那本书？
3. Did you buy milk or bread? 你买了牛奶还是面包？ Nǐ mǎi le niúnǎi háishì miànbāo?

Huo zhe 或者also means OR but is used in statements, for example:

1. I will visit you at 2pm or 230pm. Wǒ huì zài xiàwǔ 2 diǎn huò 230 diǎn bàifǎng nín.

我会在下午 2 点或者 230 点拜访您。

2. We will come on Monday or Tuesday. Wǒmen jiàng zài xīngqí yī huò xīngqí’èr lái.

我们将在星期一或者星期二来。

3. I will eat fish or shrimp for dinner tonight. Wǒ jīn wǎn wǎncān chī yú huò xiā.

我今晚晚餐吃鱼或者虾。

Now let’s see if you understand the above.

Do you know how to translate these sentences? (Answers are below)

1. Are you a teacher or a doctor?
2. Is she your friend or your colleague?
3. She likes reading or watching TV when she has free time.
4. They will either cook or call delivery when they are at home.

Hai shi 还是 can also used in a statement when you are not sure about something, for example.

1. I forgot if he lives on the 5 or 6 floor.
2. He is not sure if she will go to the U.K or the U.S.
3. I don’t remember if he works in a bank or a hotel.

Try to translate these sentences: (Answers are below)

1. I forgot if the meeting is 2pm or 3pm.
2. I am not sure if he likes apple or orange.
3. I don’t know if he likes me or hate me.

Hai shi…ba 还是。。。吧means it is better…

For example:

1. It’s better finish your homework before watching TV. háishì zài kàn diànshì qián wánchéng zuòyè ba.

还是在看电视前完成作业吧。

2. It’s better bring an umbrella. Háishì dài bǎ sǎn ba! 还是带把伞吧！
3. It’s better stay home watch TV when it rains outside. Wàimiàn xià yǔle, háishì zàijiā kàn diànshì ba!

外面下雨了，还是在家看电视吧！

Try to translate these sentences: (Answers are below)

1. It’s better we play football during the weekend.
2. It’s better you cook and I wash dishes tonight.
3. It’s better we go this way.

Huo zhe can also mean maybe

For example:

1. Maybe we can go there and have a look. Huòzhě wǒmen kěyǐ qù nàlǐ kàn kàn.

或者我们可以去那儿看看。

2. Maybe we should wait here. Huòzhě wǒmen yīnggāi zài zhè’er děng.

或者我们应该在这儿等。

3. Maybe he will come very soon. Huòzhě tā hěn kuài jiù huì lái ne!

或者他很快就会来呢！

Try to translate these sentences: (Answers are below)

1. Maybe we can watch this movie tomorrow evening.
2. Perhaps she know I am here.
3. Maybe she is interested in watching movies with you.

Answers of the exercises.

1. Are you a teacher or a doctor?
2. Is she your friend or your colleague?
3. She likes reading or watching TV when she has free time.
4. They will either cook or call delivery when they are at home.

Try to translate these sentences: (Answers are below)

1. I forgot if the meeting is 2pm or 3pm.
2. I am not sure if he likes apple or orange.
3. I don’t know if he likes me or hate me.

Try to translate these sentences: (Answers are below)

1. It’s better we play football during the weekend.
2. It’s better you cook and I wash dishes tonight.
3. It’s better we go this way.

Try to translate these sentences: (Answers are below)

1. Maybe we can watch this movie tomorrow evening.
2. Perhaps she know I am here.
3. Maybe she is interested in watching movies with you.