Meanings of 要么
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 要么
Podcast: 要么
Podcast: 要么
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 要么
要么 is often used in informal contexts but can also be appropriate in more formal discussions when presenting choices. Common collocations include '要么...要么...' (either...or...) and it’s important to remember that it often pairs with another phrase or clause. Be cautious with tone pronunciation: ensure that '要' is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone) and '么' with a neutral tone.
要么 is relevant for learners at HSK Level 3 or higher, as it connects with other phrases expressing choice and decision-making. Focus on sentence structures that use this word in conjunction with verbs or actions to practice its use in context.
Learners often confuse 要么 with 或者, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '要么我去，或者你去' is incorrect; instead, it should be '要么我去，要么你去' to emphasize the exclusivity of the choices.
Pronunciation of 要么
Drill the tone of 要么 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
How to say or in Chinese
“or” in Chinese is要么
要么 (yào me) is a conjunction used to express alternatives, similar to 'either...or...' in English. It often presents two options or choices, indicating that one must choose between them. It is commonly used in conversational contexts to express decisions or possibilities.
When to use 要么
要么 is often used in informal contexts but can also be appropriate in more formal discussions when presenting choices. Common collocations include '要么...要么...' (either...or...) and it’s important to remember that it often pairs with another phrase or clause. Be cautious with tone pronunciation: ensure that '要' is pronounced with a falling tone (4th tone) and '么' with a neutral tone.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 要么 with 或者, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '要么我去，或者你去' is incorrect; instead, it should be '要么我去，要么你去' to emphasize the exclusivity of the choices.
Write 要么
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 要么 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions about 要么
You can use 要么 to present two options, such as '要么去看电影，要么去吃饭' (Either go to the movies or go to eat).
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 要么?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.