3 Meanings of 还是 (háishi)

You already know that some Chinese words can have different meanings depending on the context.⠀⠀

Learn 3 meanings of 还是 (háishi) with our new video!

Meaning #1: Still

Imagine you run into an old classmate. You two haven’t seen each other for ages, but she hasn’t changed at all. What will you say?

• 老同学，好久不见！你还是那么年轻！
• Lǎotóngxué, hǎojiǔ bùjiàn! Nǐ háishi nàme niánqīng!
• My old classmate, I haven’t seen you for so long! You still look so young!

Here, 还是 (háishi) means “still” and is used to express that something hasn’t changed.

💡The structure then will be:
Subject + 还是 (háishi) + Verb/Adj

Meaning #2: Had Better

Imagine you and your old classmate went out for a drink. In the bar, you ask:

• 你喝什么？啤酒还是可乐？
•  Nǐ hē shénme? Píjiǔ háishi kělè?
• What shall I get for you? Beer or coke?

Here, 还是 (háishi) means “or“, and it’s used to offer a choice.

 Note: 还是 is used only in questions. In statements, use 或者 huòzhě.

💡 The structure in questions will be:
A + 还是 (háishi)+ B?

Meaning #3: Had Better

Once you’ve been given options, you need to make a choice. Here goes the third meaning of 还是 (háishi):

• 我今天开车了，还是喝可乐吧
• Wǒ jīntiān kāichē le, háishi hē kělè ba
• I’m driving today. I’d better stick to coke

Here, 还是 (háishi) means “had better” and is used to show the best option that you’ve made after comparing a few options.

💡 The structure in this case is:
S + 还是 (háishi) + Verb + (吧)