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还是
還是
hái shi
conj. or (used when the speaker does not know which one it is)
Discussion of 还是/還是
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Someone told me the word can mean still....is it true?
Shīya3
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"(是)…还是…？" is usually used to form alternative questions. 还是 is used before the alternative elements, which can be the subject (Example 1), the predicate (Example 2 & 3), the adverbial adjunct of time (Example 4), etc. Please note that the first 是 can often be omitted.
Example 1. 是你说了算，还是他说了算？ [phr] Do you have the final say or does he have the final say?
Example 2. 你是去德国，还是去法国？ [phr] Are you going to Germany, or are you going to France?
Example 3. 你的狗是公的，还是母的？ [phr] Is your dog a he or a she?
Example 4.你儿子是今年还是明年上大学？ [phr] Your son goes to college this year or next year?
lisaC
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How is 还是 (háishì) used in different contexts?
个学生
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What are the situations in which I should use 还是 (háishì) instead of other words?
个学生
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In Chinese, both 还是 (háishì) and 或 (huò) can be used to express "or," but they are used in slightly different contexts and have nuanced differences in meaning and usage:

1.还是 (háishì) is used when presenting a choice between two or more alternatives. It is typically used in questions or conditional sentences to ask someone to make a choice or to suggest alternatives. 还是 implies that the speaker expects the listener to choose one of the options presented.
Example:你要茶还是咖啡？ (Nǐ yào chá háishì kāfēi?) - Do you want tea or coffee?

2. 或 (huò) is a more general word for "or" and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It can be used to present a choice between alternatives, similar to 还是, but it can also be used to express possibilities or options without implying a specific expectation of choice.
Example: 你可以选择茶或者咖啡。 (Nǐ kěyǐ xuǎnzé chá huòzhě kāfēi.) - You can choose tea or coffee. (No specific expectation of choice)

In summary, 还是 is often used when asking for a choice or making suggestions with an expectation of a decision, while 或 is a more general term for "or" that can be used to present options without necessarily implying a choice. The choice between them depends on the context and the speaker's intention.
lisaC
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