还是 Choice Questions in Chinese
选择复句：还是
还是 forms an alternative question that asks the listener to choose between two or more options. Each option should be grammatically parallel, and the question intonation or question mark makes the choice request clear. In declarative contexts, 还是 can have other meanings, so the interrogative frame matters.
Published August 12, 2026
Reviewed August 12, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
(是) Option A，还是 Option B？
Read the structure
还是 forms an alternative question that asks the listener to choose between two or more options. Each option should be grammatically parallel, and the question intonation or question mark makes the choice request clear. In declarative contexts, 还是 can have other meanings, so the interrogative frame matters. Keep the model (是) Option A，还是 Option B？ visible while you compare each sentence.
这次旅行你坐火车，还是坐飞机？
Will you take a train or a plane on this trip?
Choose the right context
Ask which of two options is preferred or true. Repeat parallel verbs or phrases in each option. Use 是……还是…… for an explicit identification choice.
周末去打排球，还是去打篮球？
Will we play volleyball or basketball this weekend?
Respect the boundary
Do not use it when no answer or choice is requested. Do not mix unlike clause structures without context. Do not confuse it with 或者 in a neutral statement of alternatives.
你坐火车坐飞机还是？
(You train plane or?)
Repair the pattern
还是 is placed after the final option: 还是 introduces the second alternative before that option, not after the complete question. A statement is mislabeled as a choice question: A declarative alternative uses 或者; 还是 in this pattern asks the listener to choose.
你坐火车，还是坐飞机？
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.
这次旅行你坐火车，还是坐飞机？
Will you take a train or a plane on this trip?
这次
(是) Option A，还是 Option B？
This part occupies the (是) Option A，还是 Option B？ position in the model pattern.
旅行
(是) Option A，还是 Option B？
This part occupies the (是) Option A，还是 Option B？ position in the model pattern.
你
(是) Option A，还是 Option B？
This part occupies the (是) Option A，还是 Option B？ position in the model pattern.
坐
(是) Option A，还是 Option B？
This part occupies the (是) Option A，还是 Option B？ position in the model pattern.
火车
(是) Option A，还是 Option B？
This part occupies the (是) Option A，还是 Option B？ position in the model pattern.
，
(是) Option A，还是 Option B？
This part occupies the (是) Option A，还是 Option B？ position in the model pattern.
还是
(是) Option A，还是 Option B？
This part occupies the (是) Option A，还是 Option B？ position in the model pattern.
坐
(是) Option A，还是 Option B？
This part occupies the (是) Option A，还是 Option B？ position in the model pattern.
飞机
(是) Option A，还是 Option B？
This part occupies the (是) Option A，还是 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.
这次旅行你坐火车，还是坐飞机？
Will you take a train or a plane on this trip?
周末去打排球，还是去打篮球？
Will we play volleyball or basketball this weekend?
你是老师，还是学生？
Are you a teacher or a student?
我们先吃饭，还是先看电影？
Shall we eat first or watch a movie first?
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Ask which of two options is preferred or true.
- Repeat parallel verbs or phrases in each option.
- Use 是……还是…… for an explicit identification choice.
Do not use it when
- Do not use it when no answer or choice is requested.
- Do not mix unlike clause structures without context.
- Do not confuse it with 或者 in a neutral statement of alternatives.
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.
你坐火车坐飞机还是？
你坐火车，还是坐飞机？
还是 is placed after the final option
还是 introduces the second alternative before that option, not after the complete question.
我喜欢茶，还是咖啡。
我喜欢茶，或者咖啡。
A statement is mislabeled as a choice question
A declarative alternative uses 或者; 还是 in this pattern asks the listener to choose.
你坐火车坐飞机还是？
还是 introduces the second alternative before that option, not after the complete question.
我喜欢茶，还是咖啡。
A declarative alternative uses 或者; 还是 in this pattern asks the listener to choose.
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 选择复句：还是.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 选择复句：还是. 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
还是 Choice Questions Questions
Can 还是 appear without 是?
Yes. In 坐火车，还是坐飞机？ the subject and verb can be shared. 是……还是…… is useful when choosing between identities or categories.
Is 还是 the same as 或者?
No. 还是 typically appears in a question that requests a choice, while 或者 commonly links alternatives in a statement.
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 2 item 【二64】, PDF p. 195 (printed p. 189)
Lists choice sentences with and without 还是 and gives train/plane and weekend activity 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: Alternative questions, pp. 33–35
Distinguishes alternative questions with 还是 from declarative alternatives linked by 或者 and requires parallel options.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
还是/或者还是 vs 或者: Two Ways to Say Or
Continue from the broad 还是/或者 distinction to explicit alternative questions.
Compare
要么…要么Either...Or with 要么...要么...
Contrast a listener choice question with a statement that lists alternatives through 要么……要么…….
Compare
如果…就如果...就 (If... Then)
Separate an alternative question from a conditional relation.
Easy to confuse
X也好，Y也好Alternatives with X也好，Y也好
Distinguish asking which option holds from treating every listed option as acceptable.
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Continue from the broad 还是/或者 distinction to explicit alternative questions.