Expressing "had better" with 还是 ("hai2shi4")

还是 háishì

Adverb

HSK 3

Structure

Subj. + 还是 + [Verb Phrase] + 吧

表示经过比较、思考后，认为某个选择或行动更合适、更好。

Indicates that after comparison or consideration, a certain choice or action is deemed more suitable or better.

常用于建议或劝告，结构为‘还是+动词/动词短语+吧’，委婉地表达‘最好……’的意思。

Commonly used for suggestions or advice, with the structure '还是 + verb/verb phrase + 吧' to express 'had better' in a gentle tone.

1 天太晚了，你还是回家吧。(It's too late, you had better go home.)
2 这道菜太辣了，我们还是点别的吧。(This dish is too spicy; we had better order something else.)
3 你感冒了，还是多喝点热水吧。(You have a cold; you had better drink more hot water.)
4 明天要考试，你还是早点睡觉吧。(You have an exam tomorrow; you had better go to bed early.)
5 路上堵车，我们还是坐地铁去吧。(The traffic is bad; we had better take the subway.)
6 这本书太难了，你还是先看那本简单的吧。(This book is too difficult; you had better read the easy one first.)

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