还是 (hái shi) — (adverb) still, as before; (adverb) had better (in suggestions); (conjunction) or (in alternative questions)
Definition
还是 has two distinct uses: as an adverb it means 'still' (similar to 仍然/依然, but more everyday) and as a soft 'had better' in suggestions (weaker than 最好). As a conjunction it links alternatives in questions, like 'or'.
adverb
stillas beforehad better (in suggestions)
conjunction
or (in alternative questions)
Examples
- 还是。Tā hái shi shì lǎo shī.He is still a teacher.
- 还是。Wǒ men hái shi zài jiā ba.We had better stay at home.
- 还是？Nǐ xiǎng hē chá hái shi kā fēi?Do you want to drink tea or coffee?
Grammar
Appears in
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