还是 háishi or
or; still; nevertheless; had better
How to remember 还是: 还 still + 是 is = or.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Or' in questions, offering a choice - 你要咖啡还是茶？ (nǐ yào kāfēi háishi chá) coffee or tea?
- This 'or' always offers a choice, in a question or after 不知道 / 不管 - 我不知道他去还是不去 (wǒ bù zhīdào tā qù háishi bú qù) I'm not sure if he's going or not. A plain 'or' in a statement is 或者 (huòzhě).
- Also 'had better / after all' - 还是明天去吧 (háishi míngtiān qù ba) let's just go tomorrow instead.
Example sentences
- 他还是小孩子。 Tā háishi xiǎoháizi.He's still a child.
- 你喝茶还是咖啡？ Nǐ hē chá háishi kāfēi?Would you prefer tea or coffee?
- 下雨了，可是我还是要出门。 Xiàyǔ le, kěshì wǒ háishi yào chūmén.Even though it's raining I still have to go out.
- 雨很大，但是他还是出门了。 Yǔ hěn dà, dànshì tā háishi chūmén le.He went out though it was raining heavily.