还是
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This word has multiple dictionary entries. Choose the reading or usage you want to review.
Definitions
- 1. still (as before)
- 2. had better
- 3. unexpectedly
- 4. or
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Word relationships
Related words
2 itemsSynonyms
1 itemUsage notes
Common mistakes
还是 is used in questions that ask someone to choose between options; 或者 is for statements.
Grammar
Guides that feature 还是
Jump into a full guide with fill-in-the-blank drills. Clicking will load the page and move you to the top.
X归X，Y归Y keeps two things apart (朋友归朋友，规定归规定), and X归X alone admits a point before a “but” (贵归贵，味道真不错).
不是……，还…… says the first idea is too little and adds more: 他不是一个人来的，还带了两个朋友.
As mood adverbs, 就 stresses that something is exactly so (我就是王明), 还是 says something is still true in spite of what happened, and 都…了 means “already”.
或是……，或是…… lists two or more possibilities in a statement, like 或者 but a little more formal.
Start each choice with 或者 to list two or more options in a statement: 周末我或者在家看书，或者去公园跑步.
Once a person or thing has been named, Chinese usually leaves it out of the following clauses instead of repeating it or using 他 and 它.
Use 还是...吧 to suggest the better choice after thinking it over.
Choose the right “or” for statements, lists, and choice questions.
Pick the right question shape for open yes-or-no questions and direct choices.
Example Sentences
5 shown他 还是 不死心。
我 还是 单身。
他思前想后， 还是 不敢做决定。
他们分手以后 还是 朋友。
你喜欢茶 还是 咖啡？
AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.