(hái shì) - or, still, had better in Mandarin
háishìTraditional: 還是
Translation
or, still, had better
Test yourself on 还是
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Word origin
A compound of 还 (hai) 'still' and 是 (shi) 'to be'. Together they mean 'still is', and in questions mark the alternative 'or'.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 还 (hai, 'still') + 是 (shi, 'to be')
Stroke order
还
是
Examples
?
Are you going or is he going?
。
You had better leave.
。
Let's just forget it.
?
Do you want tea or coffee?
。
We had better set off earlier.
还是 (hái shì) means or, still, had better. It is used as a conjunction in everyday Mandarin speech.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(20)发错了
2 min read · Core 1000
两碗米饭
2 min read · Core 1000
买票
2 min read · Core 5000
在浩轩的家
2 min read · Core 5000
小宇妈妈
2 min read · Core 1000
下雨的下午
3 min read · Core 1000
新邻居
3 min read · Core 1000
寒假去台湾
4 min read · Core 5000
老样子
4 min read · Core 1000
香港的暑假
4 min read · Core 5000
火车晚了两个小时
5 min read · Core 5000
等了三年
5 min read · Core 5000
今天不开门
5 min read · Core 5000
旧手机
5 min read · Core 5000
看场合
5 min read · Core 1000
那件事
5 min read · Core 5000
那两分呢?
5 min read · Core 5000
小芳的钥匙
5 min read · Core 5000
欢迎再来
5 min read · Core 5000
一直开
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
(10)Although in Mandarin: 虽然…还是, 不过 and 还是
Even Though and Even If in Mandarin: 虽然, 即使, 就算
Formal Mandarin Connectives: 然而, 因此, 于是 and 尽管
Intermediate Mandarin Grammar (B1-B2, HSK 4-5)
Mandarin Interrogative Pronouns: 谁, 什么, 哪 and 'Anyone'
Mandarin Question Words: 什么, 谁, 哪儿 and the Full List
Mandarin Sentence-Final Particles: 吧, 呢, 啊, 嘛 and 吗
No Matter What in Mandarin: 无论 and 不管...都
Mandarin Yes-No Questions: 吗 (ma), Echo Answers and 呢 (ne)
The Mandarin Suffix 者 (zhě): 作者, 读者, 记者
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Mandarin · Free printables
还是: worksheet, infographic and listicleThe padlock and Plus mark show a Kilo Lingo Plus feature. Start your free week to unlock it - no card needed.
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "还是" (or, still, had better): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 4, lesson 2: 还是, 孩子, 看到 and 7 more words.