或是 (huò shì) — (conjunction) or; connecting two alternatives

Definition

或是 and 或者 both mean 'or' for listing alternatives; 或者 is far more common. 或是 sounds slightly more formal/written. Use 否则 only for 'otherwise / if not' (consequence), not for plain alternatives.

conjunction
orconnecting two alternatives

Examples

  • 或是
    Míng tiān shì xīng qī yī huò shì xīng qī èr.
    Tomorrow is Monday or Tuesday.
  • 或是
    Nǐ kě yǐ zuò fēi jī huò shì huǒ chē qù shàng hǎi.
    You can take a plane or a train to Shanghai.
  • 或是
    Zhè jiàn yī fu shì hóng de huò shì lán de?
    Is this piece of clothing red or blue?

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