是A还是B
Reach for this when you want to force a choice between two specific options — 'is it A or B?'. It's the standard 'A or B' question, but it also works inside statements ('we don't know whether it's A or B'). The 还是 between the two options is what flags this as a choice question; using 或者 instead would change the meaning to a vague 'A or maybe B.' Used constantly in interviews, surveys, decision points, and rhetorical questions in op-eds.
Structure
是 [OPTION A] 还是 [OPTION B] / [VERB] [OPTION A] 还是 [OPTION B]
shì... háishì...
How to Think About It
还是 in questions means 'or' as a choice between specific alternatives — you're demanding a pick. The 是 at the front can be dropped if the verb is something else ('喝咖啡还是茶 — drinking coffee or tea?'), but with 是 it forms a clean either/or frame. The crucial contrast: 还是 = 'or' in questions; 或者 = 'or' in statements. Mixing them is the #1 mistake.
Examples
你今天去还是明天去？
Nǐ jīntiān qù háishì míngtiān qù?
Are you going today or tomorrow?
这是真的还是假的？
Zhè shì zhēn de háishì jiǎ de?
Is this real or fake?
我不知道他是中国人还是日本人。
Wǒ bù zhīdào tā shì Zhōngguórén háishì Rìběnrén.
I don't know whether he's Chinese or Japanese.
Common Mistake
Learners use 或者 in questions, on the model of English 'or' covering both contexts. Chinese splits them: 还是 for questions and embedded choices, 或者 for statements offering options. Using 或者 in a question sounds wrong to natives.
你喝咖啡或者茶？
你喝咖啡还是茶？
Don't Confuse With
或者
或者 = 'or' in statements ('we can take a bus or a taxi'). 还是 = 'or' in questions and embedded choices ('bus or taxi?'). Wrong choice flips the meaning from offering to asking.
还是 (still / after all)
还是 also means 'still' or 'after all' as an adverb ('还是去吧 — let's go anyway'). Same word, different role. Position and context distinguish them: between two options = 'or'; before a verb = 'still / anyway.'
...还是...，都...
When 还是 appears with 都 ('whether A or B, all…'), it shifts from a question to a 'no matter which' construction. Don't read every 还是 as a question marker.
Practice
是倾听，___ 压制？
Show answer
还是
你喝茶 ___ 咖啡？
Show answer
还是
Arrange: 还是 / 你 / 走路 / 坐车
Show answer
你走路还是坐车？
Do you want to eat at home or go out?
Show answer
你想在家吃还是出去吃？
Use 是A还是B to ask someone to choose between two options.
Show answer
你周末是想看电影还是想去爬山？
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: