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Lesson

要么…要么 (either… or…)

1. Explain it simply

Put 要么 in front of each option to frame a free choice between two alternatives.

Order: 要么 + option A,要么 + option B. Each 要么 heads its own clause.

The two options are mutually exclusive - you pick one, not both.

要么 goes before the whole option, not after the verb, and both 要么 are needed.

2. Show examples

周末要么去爬山,要么去看电影。

Zhōumò yàome qù páshān, yàome qù kàn diànyǐng.

On the weekend, either go hiking or go to a movie.

each 要么 heads one option

你要么坐火车,要么坐飞机。

Nǐ yàome zuò huǒchē, yàome zuò fēijī.

You can either take the train or take the plane.

two exclusive ways to travel

晚饭要么吃米饭,要么吃饺子。

Wǎnfàn yàome chī mǐfàn, yàome chī jiǎozi.

For dinner, either eat rice or eat dumplings.

pick one option only

3. Share a tip

Say 要么 before each choice - keep both, since one 要么 alone loses the 'either... or' balance.

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