HSK 2
选择复句
xuǎn zé fù jù
Alternative questions (选择复句)
Explanation
This is the alternative question: a sentence offering two (or more) options for the listener to choose one. "复句" (compound sentence) means a sentence made up of several clauses.
there are 2 ways. (1) Without a connective: place the two choices side by side, separated by a comma — 你坐火车，坐飞机？(Are you going by train, or by plane?). (2) With the connective (是 shì)⋯⋯，还是 (háishì)⋯⋯: 是 opens the first option (can be omitted), 还是 (meaning "or") comes before the second option — 你是坐火车来的，还是坐飞机来的？
when you want to ask the listener to choose one of the stated possibilities. Way (2) is clearer, more natural, and more commonly used.
还是 (háishì) is used in alternative QUESTIONS (go by train or by plane); while 或者 (huòzhě, or) is only used in STATEMENTS (declarative sentences) to state possibilities, not to ask. Don't say 你去或者他去？when you are asking.
(1) Using 或者 instead of 还是 in a question. (2) Adding 吗 (ma) at the end of a sentence that already has 还是 (writing ...还是坐飞机吗？) — redundant, since 还是 already makes it a question. (3) Forgetting 还是, which makes the two clauses sound like two separate sentences.
Examples
Way (1): without a connective
For this trip, are you going by train, or by plane?
Are we going on Saturday, or on Sunday?
Way (2): with the connective (是)⋯⋯，还是⋯⋯ (is it... or is it...)
Did you come by train, or come by plane?
This weekend do you want to go play volleyball, or go play basketball?
Practice
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Learn “选择复句” effectively
The grammar point “选择复句” (Alternative questions (选择复句)) is one of the key structures at HSK 2. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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