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HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 2+ 5 min read

还是...吧 for “Had Better”

Use 还是...吧 to suggest the better choice after thinking it over.

Pattern

Subject + 还是 + verb phrase + 吧

还是...吧 means “it would be better to …”: you weigh the options and recommend one.

外面下雨了，我们还是坐地铁吧。

When to use 还是...吧 for “Had Better”

Put 还是 before the verb phrase and 吧 at the end of the sentence. The speaker has thought about the choices and is suggesting the one that seems better, often because of a reason given first.

太晚了，你还是明天再来吧。

It’s too late. You’d better come back tomorrow.

这件衣服有点儿贵，我还是买那件吧。

This piece of clothing is a bit expensive. I think I’ll buy that one instead.

你累了，还是早点儿休息吧。

You’re tired. You’d better get some rest early.

这个问题太难了，还是问问老师吧。

This question is too hard. We’d better ask the teacher.

Common traps

  • Don’t read 还是 here as the “or” of A还是B? questions; in 还是...吧 the speaker has already chosen.
  • Don’t replace 还是 with 或者 here; 或者 means “or” and does not give a recommendation.
  • Don’t end the sentence with 吗; 还是...吧 is a suggestion, not a question.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

外面下雨了，我们 坐地铁吧

It’s raining outside. We’d better take the subway
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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