HSK 6
要么⋯⋯，要么⋯⋯
yào me ⋯ ⋯ ， yào me ⋯ ⋯
The structure '要么⋯⋯，要么⋯⋯' – Either…, or…
Explanation
要么…要么… (yàome… yàome…) is a pair of conjunctions (words connecting clauses) forming a compound sentence of choice (a sentence with two clauses presenting two possibilities), meaning 'either…, or…'.
要么 + option A, 要么 + option B. The two clauses present two possibilities; the listener (or the situation) can only choose/fall into one of the two.
when presenting exactly two alternatives that replace each other, with the emphasis 'only these two ways'; or used to list two situations existing in parallel (要么在写作业，要么在讨论 = some are doing homework, some are discussing). Leans toward colloquial usage.
要么…要么… is usually used in declarative sentences, presenting a decisive choice; whereas 或者 (huòzhě: or) merely lists possibilities more gently; 还是 (háishi: or) is used in choice questions.
using 还是 in place of 要么 in a declarative sentence (还是 only fits questions); and forgetting to repeat 要么 in both clauses — 要么 must appear twice.
Examples
Either you join his group, or you form a group by yourself — decide as soon as possible.
In the face of difficulty, either we are frightened by it, or we overcome it.
The students in the classroom are either doing homework or discussing in low voices.
Practice
Test your understanding with a quick quiz
Learn “要么⋯⋯，要么⋯⋯” effectively
The grammar point “要么⋯⋯，要么⋯⋯” (The structure '要么⋯⋯，要么⋯⋯' – Either…, or…) is one of the key structures at HSK 6. 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.
You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.