How to Say ‘Indoors or outdoors’ in Simplified Chinese
室内还是室外
shì nèi hái shì shì wài
[shir nay high-shir shir why]
💬 Usage Tip: [A 还是 B] is the standard pattern for 'A or B?' when you're asking someone to choose: [室内还是室外？] You can reuse it easily, like [靠窗还是里面？]
Phrase Breakdown
室内
shì nèi
Words in this phrase
室
shì
[shir]
room; indoor space
This 室 is the same character meaning room or enclosed space, here used again in 室外 as part of the contrast.
服务员问我室内还是室外，我选了靠窗的位置。
The server asked me indoors or outdoors, and I chose a window seat.
内
nèi
[nay]
inside; inner
内 means inside or inner, and in 室内 it refers to indoor seating.
今天太热了，我们选室内还是室外？
It's too hot today; shall we choose indoors or outdoors?
还是
hái shì
[high-shir]
or; or else
还是 is used to present alternatives, like asking whether someone wants indoor or outdoor seating.
订位时他们会问你室内还是室外。
When reserving, they will ask you whether you want indoor or outdoor seating.
室外
shì wài
Words in this phrase
室
shì
[shir]
room; indoor space
This 室 is the same character meaning room or enclosed space, here used again in 室外 as part of the contrast.
服务员问我室内还是室外，我选了靠窗的位置。
The server asked me indoors or outdoors, and I chose a window seat.
外
wài
[why]
outside; outer
外 means outside, and in this phrase it helps form 室外, meaning outdoor seating.
晚上吃饭，你喜欢室内还是室外？
For dinner tonight, do you prefer indoors or outdoors?
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