HSK 2
连接词或短语：或、或者
lián jiē cí huò duǎn yǔ ： huò 、 huò zhě
Or (或、或者)
Explanation
'或' (huò) and '或者' (huòzhě) are both conjunctions (words connecting words or clauses), meaning 'or', used to link alternatives in a STATEMENT (a declarative sentence, that is, an ordinary telling sentence, not a question).
A + 或/或者 + B. A and B are the alternatives and can be nouns, verbs, or entire clauses. For example: 茶或者咖啡 chá huòzhě kāfēi (tea or coffee).
when presenting two (or more) possibilities in a declarative sentence, stating the options yourself rather than asking someone else to choose. '或者' is common in everyday speech and writing, while '或' is a bit more formal/concise.
'或/或者' is used in a STATEMENT ('or'); whereas '还是' háishì is used in an alternative QUESTION ('or?') — asking 你喝茶还是咖啡？(Do you drink tea or coffee?).
Vietnamese learners often wrongly use '或者' in an alternative question (wrong: *你喝茶或者咖啡？*). A question must use '还是'; '或/或者' is only used when stating, not asking.
Examples
On Sunday I want to go watch a movie or listen to a concert.
In the afternoon I will go play ball or go mountain climbing.
Practice
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Learn “连接词或短语：或、或者” effectively
The grammar point “连接词或短语：或、或者” (Or (或、或者)) 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.
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