还是

• 拼音: hái shì
• 汉字拆解: 还 (still) + 是 (to be) — weighing options or expressing preference

含义

Or (in questions); had better; still. Used to offer choices in questions or to express a preference.

In questions, 还是 presents two or more choices (你喝茶还是咖啡？). In statements, it means 'had better' or 'after all' (还是回家吧). Different from 或者, which is used in statements, not questions.

例句

1. 你喝茶还是喝咖啡？
2. 我们还是走吧。
3. 你坐公共汽车还是坐地铁？

用法指南

语境: everyday, decision-making

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 你要米饭还是面条？(Do you want rice or noodles?)
• 天太晚了，还是打车吧。(It's too late, let's just take a taxi.)

错误说法

• 我喜欢猫还是狗。(In statements, use 或者 instead — 还是 is for questions or suggestions)

起源与历史

Compound of 还 (still, also) and 是 (to be) — literally 'still is', used to weigh options or express a continued preference.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal