HSK 3
还是……吧
háishi…… ba
better to…
Structure
(Subject) + 还是 + Verb/Action + 吧
How it works
This structure is used to suggest an alternative or express a preference after considering other options. It implies that after thinking it over, the speaker has decided that a certain action is the 'better' or 'best' thing to do in the current situation.
Examples
外面下雨了，我们还是打车吧。
Wàimiàn xiàyǔ le, wǒmen háishì dǎchē ba.
It's raining outside, we had better take a taxi.
太晚了，你还是明天再做吧。
Tài wǎn le, nǐ háishì míngtiān zài zuò ba.
It's too late, you better do it tomorrow instead.
这家饭馆太贵了，我们还是去那家吧。
Zhè jiā fànguǎn tài guì le, wǒmen háishì qù nà jiā ba.
This restaurant is too expensive, let's go to that one instead.
Common mistakes
Do not confuse this with the '还是' used in questions (A 还是 B?). In this structure, '还是' does not mean 'or'; it acts as an adverb meaning 'had better'.
Tip
Think of '还是...吧' as 'Plan B'. It is almost always used when 'Plan A' (the original idea) is no longer suitable or when a choice between two things has been made.
More HSK 3 grammar
See 还是……吧 in real Chinese
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