还是 hái shi
“still (as before); had better; unexpectedly”
conjunction, adverb, verbHSK 3 · 2021 list level 1Traditional 還是
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
还是 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 352: 还是 háishi — Level 2; official annotation 2 (副、连). PDF page 88
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 还是
还是 means 'still' or 'as before': it shows that a situation has continued without changing. It is an adverb, so it comes before the verb or adjective, as in 他还是那么忙. It is common in both statements and questions.
例句Example sentences
- 这么多年了，他还是那么喜欢看书。zhè me duō nián le, tā hái shì nà me xǐ huan kàn shū.After all these years, he still likes reading so much.
- 我昨天吃了药，可是今天还是不舒服。wǒ zuó tiān chī le yào, kě shì jīn tiān hái shì bù shū fu.I took medicine yesterday, but I'm still not feeling well today.
- 她还是住在那个地方吗？tā hái shì zhù zài nà ge dì fang ma?Does she still live in that place?
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗他喜欢还是看书。
✓他还是喜欢看书。
还是 must come before the verb or adjective, not after it.
-
✗我不还是舒服。
✓我还是不舒服。
With 还是 meaning 'still', the negative 不 goes after 还是, before the adjective or verb.