How to say “had better” in Chinese with 还是 (háishi)
Subj. + 还是 (háishi) + Verb Phrase (+ 吧 (ba))
还是 (hái shì) — had better
Subj. + 还是 (háishi) + Verb Phrase (+ 吧 (ba))
HSK 4Adverbs还是 (hái shì) — had better
Rule structure
还是 (háishi) in suggestions means "had better". It implies a choice after consideration and often softens with 吧 (ba).
Rule structure
还是 (háishi) in suggestions means "had better". It implies a choice after consideration and often softens with 吧 (ba).
Examples
天黑了，你还是回家吧。
Tiān hēi le, nǐ háishì huí jiā ba.
It's dark, you'd better go home.
Examples
天黑了，你还是回家吧。
Tiān hēi le, nǐ háishì huí jiā ba.
It's dark, you'd better go home.
Build the sentence
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “had better” in Chinese with 还是?
Use the structure: Subj. + 还是 (háishi) + Verb Phrase (+ 吧 (ba)). For example: 天黑了，你还是回家吧。 — “It's dark, you'd better go home.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
天黑了，你还是回家吧。 — “It's dark, you'd better go home.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
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More HSK 4 grammar rules
原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate
千万 — don't, whatever you do
千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
不得不 — have to, forced to
Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase
也 都 — also all
Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question
恐怕 — I'm afraid that...
恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause
从来 — never in negative contexts
从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.