Definition
或是 (huò shì) means 'or' when linking two alternatives, similar to 或者 (huò zhě) but more formal and common in writing. The single character 或 (huò) is even shorter and used in condensed literary contexts. In everyday speech, 或者 is more natural.
conjunction
orconnecting two alternatives
Easily confused
- 伙食huǒ shísound-alikefood; meals (especially collectively provided at a school, workplace, or institution)
Examples
- 或是。Míngtiān shì xīngqīyī huò shì xīngqī'èr.Tomorrow is Monday or Tuesday.
- 或是。Nǐ kěyǐ zuò fēijī huò shì huǒchē qù Shànghǎi.You can take a plane or a train to Shanghai.
- 或是？Zhè jiàn yīfu shì hóng de huò shì lán de?Is this piece of clothing red or blue?
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