You already know that some Chinese words can have different meanings depending on the context.

We've learned about 看 (kàn) before (Search "5 Meanings of 看" on our website or app), and now it's time for a new word!

Meaning #1: Still

Imagine you run into an old classmate. You two haven't seen each other for ages, but she hasn't changed at all. What will you say?

老同學(xué)，好久不見！你還是那么年輕！
Lǎo tóng xué, hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn! Nǐ hái shi nà me nián qīng!
My old classmate, I haven't seen you for so long! You still look so young!

Here, 還是 (hái shi) means "still" and is used to express that something hasn't changed.

The structure then will be:

Subject + 還是 (hái shi) + Verb/Adj

Meaning #2: Or

Imagine you and your old classmate went out for a drink. In the bar, you ask:

你喝什么？啤酒還是可樂？
Nǐ hē shén me? Pí jiǔ hái shi kě lè?
What shall I get for you? Beer or coke?

Here, 還是 (hái shi) means "or", and it's used to offer a choice.

Note: 還是 is used only in questions. In statements, use 或者 huò zhě.

The structure in questions will be:

A + 還是 (hái shi)+ B?

Meaning #3: Had better

Once you've been given options, you need to make a choice. Here goes the third meaning of 還是 (hái shi):

我今天開車了，還是喝可樂吧。
Wǒ jīn tiān kāi chē le, hái shi hē kě lè ba
I'm driving today. I'd better stick to coke.

Here, 還是 (hái shi) means "had better" and is used to show the best option that you've made after comparing a few options.

S + 還是 (hái shi) + Verb + (吧)

Source: That's Mandarin
Editor: wanwan