How to Say ‘Or are you waiting for your boyfriend?’ in Traditional Chinese
還是你在等男朋友？
hái shì nǐ zài děng nán péng yǒu
[hai shr nǐ zài dung nán péngyǒu]
💬 Usage Tip: 還是 (hái shì) means "or" only in questions. In plain statements, "or" is 或是. 在 before a verb means the action is happening right now: 在等 "waiting".
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Said with a smile, this is a cheeky way to find out whether someone is single without asking outright.
Phrase Breakdown
還是你
hái shì nǐ
or are you
還是 (hái shì) means 'or' in questions. Here it offers another possibility.
還是你想喝茶？
Or do you want to drink tea?
Words in this phrase
還是
hái shì
[hai shr]
or
Used to present alternatives in a question, like asking someone to choose between options.
你要熱的還是冰的？
Do you want it hot or iced?
你
nǐ
[nǐ]
you
Refers to the person being spoken to.
你今天看起來很高興。
You look happy today.
在等男朋友？
zài děng nán péng yǒu
waiting for your boyfriend?
在 + verb shows an ongoing action. 男朋友 (nán péng yǒu) means 'boyfriend'.
她在等男朋友。
She is waiting for her boyfriend.
Words in this phrase
在
zài
[zài]
(progressive marker)
Placed before a verb to show an action is in progress.
我在喝酒。
I am drinking.
等
děng
[dung]
to wait for
Means to wait for someone. In restaurant language, it sounds welcoming and polite.
我們會在門口等您們。
We will wait for you at the entrance.
男朋友
nán péng yǒu
[nán péngyǒu]
boyfriend
A male romantic partner.
她的男朋友很高。
Her boyfriend is tall.
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