不是……就是…… Limited Choice in Chinese
不是……，就是……
不是……就是…… presents two alternatives as the limited set of likely or available possibilities. Each branch should be structurally parallel, and 就是 introduces the second branch. Unlike a 还是 question, the speaker states an either-or judgment rather than asking the listener to choose.
Published August 15, 2026
Reviewed August 15, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
不是 + Option A，就是 + Option B
Read the structure
不是……就是…… presents two alternatives as the limited set of likely or available possibilities. Each branch should be structurally parallel, and 就是 introduces the second branch. Unlike a 还是 question, the speaker states an either-or judgment rather than asking the listener to choose. Keep the model 不是 + Option A，就是 + Option B visible while you compare each sentence.
我每天放学以后，不是回家做作业，就是去图书馆看书。
After school, I either go home to do homework or go to the library to read.
Choose the right context
State that one of two alternatives applies. Present two likely outcomes as a limited choice. Keep the two branches grammatically parallel.
这道题不是选A，就是选B。
For this question, the answer is either A or B.
Respect the boundary
Do not use it to ask the listener which option they prefer. Do not leave either alternative structurally incomplete. Do not assume the two alternatives must be opposites.
他不是去，就是。
(He either goes, or is.)
Repair the pattern
The second alternative is missing: 就是 must introduce a complete second alternative rather than end the sentence by itself. The two branches are not structurally parallel: Both branches need parallel predicates here; the second branch must repeat 喝 before its object.
他不是去学校，就是去图书馆。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我每天放学以后，不是回家做作业，就是去图书馆看书。
After school, I either go home to do homework or go to the library to read.
我
不是
This part occupies the 不是 position in the model pattern.
每天
Option A，就是
This part occupies the Option A，就是 position in the model pattern.
放学
Option B
This part occupies the Option B position in the model pattern.
以后
不是
This part occupies the 不是 position in the model pattern.
，
Option A，就是
This part occupies the Option A，就是 position in the model pattern.
不是
Option B
This part occupies the Option B position in the model pattern.
回家
不是
This part occupies the 不是 position in the model pattern.
做
Option A，就是
This part occupies the Option A，就是 position in the model pattern.
作业
Option B
This part occupies the Option B position in the model pattern.
，
不是
This part occupies the 不是 position in the model pattern.
就是
Option A，就是
This part occupies the Option A，就是 position in the model pattern.
去
Option B
This part occupies the Option B position in the model pattern.
图书
不是
This part occupies the 不是 position in the model pattern.
馆
Option A，就是
This part occupies the Option A，就是 position in the model pattern.
看书
Option B
This part occupies the Option B position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
我每天放学以后，不是回家做作业，就是去图书馆看书。
After school, I either go home to do homework or go to the library to read.
这道题不是选A，就是选B。
For this question, the answer is either A or B.
他周末不是打篮球，就是跟朋友爬山。
On weekends, he either plays basketball or hikes with friends.
明天的会不是上午开，就是下午开。
Tomorrow's meeting will be held either in the morning or in the afternoon.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- State that one of two alternatives applies.
- Present two likely outcomes as a limited choice.
- Keep the two branches grammatically parallel.
Do not use it when
- Do not use it to ask the listener which option they prefer.
- Do not leave either alternative structurally incomplete.
- Do not assume the two alternatives must be opposites.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
他不是去，就是。
他不是去学校，就是去图书馆。
The second alternative is missing
就是 must introduce a complete second alternative rather than end the sentence by itself.
他不是喝茶，就是咖啡。
他不是喝茶，就是喝咖啡。
The two branches are not structurally parallel
Both branches need parallel predicates here; the second branch must repeat 喝 before its object.
他不是去，就是。
就是 must introduce a complete second alternative rather than end the sentence by itself.
他不是喝茶，就是咖啡。
Both branches need parallel predicates here; the second branch must repeat 喝 before its object.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 不是……，就是…….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 不是……，就是……. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
不是……就是…… Limited Choice Questions
How is this different from 还是?
不是……就是…… states that the possibilities are limited to the listed alternatives. 还是 normally appears in a question asking which alternative holds.
Can the subjects differ?
Yes, when context clearly presents two alternative situations. The corresponding parts of the two branches should still remain parallel enough to compare.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 3 item 【三67】, PDF p. 209 (printed p. 203)
Lists 不是……就是…… as a Level 3 choice sentence and gives two parallel either-or examples.
Official source现代汉语语法课程讲义
包头师范学院 · 包头师范学院 · 2024
Locator: Choice complex sentences, slide 57
Classifies 不是……就是…… as a limited-choice complex-sentence pattern and contrasts it with broader alternative relations.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
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还是/或者还是 vs 或者: Two Ways to Say Or
Continue to the broader distinction between interrogative 还是 and declarative 或者 alternatives.
Compare
要么…要么Either...Or with 要么...要么...
Compare a limited either-or judgment with an explicit paired statement of available options.
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或者……，或者……或者…或者…: Statement Alternatives
Compare limited choice through 不是就是 with repeated 或者 presenting broader alternatives.
Compare
或……，或……或…或… for Compact Statement Alternatives
Compare limited choice through 不是就是 with compact written 或 alternatives.
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