HSK 4 · VERSION 2.0#15
Expressing “Had Better” with “háishì”
还是
How it works
In this use, 还是 (háishi) means “had better.” It is used to give advice, especially when the speaker believes one option is safer, wiser, or more suitable.
It often sounds softer and more natural than a direct command.
The pattern
Subject + 还是 (háishi) + Verb Phrase + 吧 (ba)
Example sentences
你还是早点休息吧。
You had better rest earlier.
这么晚了，我们还是回家吧。
It is so late. We had better go home.
下雨了，你还是带把伞吧。
It is raining, so you had better bring an umbrella.
Key point
This 还是 (háishi) is not the same as the 还是 (háishì) used in choice questions.
Compare:
你喝茶还是喝咖啡？ Nǐ hē chá háishì hē kāfēi? Do you drink tea or coffee?
你还是早点回家吧。 Nǐ háishi zǎodiǎn huí jiā ba. You had better go home earlier.
The first is for choice. The second is for advice.