STILL in Chinese? 3 fun ways to use 还是 (háishi)

STILL in Chinese? Here’s 3 ways to use háishi.

We all know that Chinese words are complex. Some have similar pronunciation, whilst others have multiple different meanings depending on the context they’re used in. Worried? Don’t be!⠀⠀

Just watch our handy video below breaking down how to use still in Chinese (and the other meanings of the phrase). You can learn 3 different meanings of 还是 (háishi) in less than a minute!

Meaning #1: Still

Lets imagine you run into an old classmate. If you haven’t seen each other for ages, but she hasn’t changed at all… What can you say? You can use still in Chinese!

• 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

Now let’s 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?

In this context, 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

In this setting, 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)

Now that you can use still in Chinese, are you ready to use your new knowledge? Why not book a free trial to get you ready for the HSK test?