Chinese word

还是

Pronunciation

Pinyinhái shì

Meaning

  • conjunctionor

Example

你想坐公交还是打车？nǐ xiǎng zuò gōng jiāo hái shì dǎ chē

Do you want to take the bus or take a taxi?

Illustration for 还是 (or)

More examples

我们今天去还是明天去？wǒ men jīn tiān qù hái shì míng tiān qù

Are we going today or tomorrow?

Core concept

Keeps the speaker's focus on what remains suitable, whether one option is selected or the same conclusion survives a new situation.

Common phrases

  • 坐公交还是打车zuò gōng jiāo hái shì dǎ chē

    take the bus or take a taxi

  • 走路还是坐车zǒu lù hái shì zuò chē

    walk or take a car

  • 今天还是明天jīn tiān hái shì míng tiān

    today or tomorrow

Similar words

或者huò zhě: Presents an alternative choice or possibility in a statement or conversation.

Definition in Chinese

在口语中常用来提出劝告，相当于“还是……比较好”；在疑问句中也用来在两个选项间做选择。zài kóu yǔ zhōng cháng yòng lái tí chū quàn gào xiāng dāng yú hái shì bǐ jiào hǎo zài yí wèn jù zhōng yě yòng lái zài liǎng gè xuǎn xiàng jiān zuò xuǎn zé

Word origin

The form combines 还 (hái, "still") + 是 (shì, "be"), giving the idea of keeping a choice or judgment in place.

Usage tips

  • A recommendation with this word sounds less like a strict order and more like a calm suggestion, which makes it common when one person is helping another decide.

Other meanings

  • had betteradverb
  • even soadverb

Word lists with this word