还
hái
Still, yet (adverb)
还 (hái) — challenging a claim
还 (hái) + X + 呢 (ne)
HSK 43.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what还Noun呢
Rule structure
还 (hái) + a label or description + 呢 (ne) can ironically challenge a claim: “and you call that ….” The speaker points out a mismatch between behavior and a label or expectation. The evaluation depends on context and intonation; it is not ordinary “still.”
Rule structure
还 (hái) + a label or description + 呢 (ne) can ironically challenge a claim: “and you call that ….” The speaker points out a mismatch between behavior and a label or expectation. The evaluation depends on context and intonation; it is not ordinary “still.”
Examples
你还老师呢，连这个字都不认识。
Nǐ hái lǎoshī ne, lián zhège zì dōu bú rènshi.
And you call yourself a teacher — you don't even know this character.
你还医生呢，连感冒都不会看。
Nǐ hái yīshēng ne, lián gǎnmào dōu bú huì kàn.
And you call yourself a doctor — you can't even treat a cold.
他还大学生呢，简单题都不会。
Tā hái dàxuéshēng ne, jiǎndān tí dōu bú huì.
And he calls himself a university student, yet cannot even solve a simple problem.
Examples
你还老师呢，连这个字都不认识。
Nǐ hái lǎoshī ne, lián zhège zì dōu bú rènshi.
And you call yourself a teacher — you don't even know this character.
你还医生呢，连感冒都不会看。
Nǐ hái yīshēng ne, lián gǎnmào dōu bú huì kàn.
And you call yourself a doctor — you can't even treat a cold.
他还大学生呢，简单题都不会。
Tā hái dàxuéshēng ne, jiǎndān tí dōu bú huì.
And he calls himself a university student, yet cannot even solve a simple problem.
Try this rule
Two short exercises: see how the rule works in a dialogue and in a sentence. No sign-up needed.
Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “challenging a claim” in Chinese with 还?
Use the structure: 还 (hái) + X + 呢 (ne). For example: 你还老师呢，连这个字都不认识。 — “And you call yourself a teacher — you don't even know this character”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
你还老师呢，连这个字都不认识。 — “And you call yourself a teacher — you don't even know this character”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 4.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 3.0 Level 4 grammar rules
够 — “so… / really…” with 的
够 (gòu) + Adj. + 的 (de)
来得及 / 来不及 — having enough time
来得及 (láidejí) / 来不及 (láibují) + Verb
拿 — take as an example
拿 (ná) + Noun + 来说 (lái shuō), ...
是 — X is X, Y is Y
X + 是 (shì) + X，Y + 是 (shì) + Y
有什么 — no point in doing it
有什么 (yǒu shénme) + 好 (hǎo) + Verb + 的 (de) / 没什么 (méi shénme) + 好 (hǎo) + Verb + 的 (de)
怎么 — no matter how hard one tries
怎么 (zěnme) + (Verb) + 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě) + Negative result
你 — go ahead and do it: 你X你的吧
你 (nǐ) + Verb + 你的 (nǐ de) + 吧 (ba)
让/叫 — do as you are told
让 (ràng) / 叫 (jiào) + you + Verb + 你 (nǐ) + 就 (jiù) + Verb