要么…，要么…
either … or … (and nothing else)
Structure
要么 做法A ， 要么 做法B
What it means
Either … or …, and nothing else: the clauses are the only choices the speaker allows, so it often gives advice or an ultimatum.
How it is built
要么 + choice A，要么 + choice B: 要么现在就去退货，要么就别再抱怨了 (either take it back now or stop complaining). Each 要么 opens a clause; a third 要么 can be added.
When to use it
For firm choices. 或者 just lists possibilities and can join words inside a clause (周六或者周日); 还是 is for questions (修还是换？). In speech one 要么 can follow a complaint: 不想修？要么就换个新的。
Watch out
Not in questions: ✗你想要么修要么换？ ✓你想修还是换？ Use 还是 to ask and 要么 to lay down the options.
Examples
要么花钱修，要么干脆换新，总不能让它一直坏着。
Either pay to have it repaired or just buy a new one; you can’t leave it broken for ever.
这台旧电脑要么卖掉，要么送人，别再闲置着了。
Either sell the old computer or give it away; stop leaving it lying idle.
要么现在就去退货，要么就别再抱怨了。
Either take it back now or stop complaining.
Learn this in Lesson 130 · HSK 7–9: 修还是换 (Repair or replace?)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
Open the lesson →