Difference between revisions of "Expressing "had better" with "haishi""
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{{Grammar Box}} | {{Grammar Box}} | ||
| − | One of the ways to use 还是(háishì) is to have it mean "you better" | + | One of the ways to use 还是 (háishì) is to have it mean "you had better," similar to how in English we may say "I think you had better start on your homework." |
== Structure == | == Structure == | ||
| − | + | 还是 as an [[adverbs|adverb]] can express "had better" or "it would be better to". The idea is that the speaker has given the matter some thought, and after considering it, has finally come to a decision. The announcement of this decision will frequently include 还是, and it usually comes before a verb or a subject. | |
| − | 吧 is often placed after this structure as it's a suggestion. | + | 吧 is often placed after this structure, as it's a suggestion. |
== Examples == | == Examples == | ||
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* 这里 太 脏 了， 我们 <em>还是</em> 走 吧。<span class="trans">It's too dirty here. We'd better go.</span> | * 这里 太 脏 了， 我们 <em>还是</em> 走 吧。<span class="trans">It's too dirty here. We'd better go.</span> | ||
* 你 <em>还是</em> 现在 就 跟 我 说 吧。<span class="trans">You'd better talk with me now.</span> | * 你 <em>还是</em> 现在 就 跟 我 说 吧。<span class="trans">You'd better talk with me now.</span> | ||
| − | * 你 病 了 这么 长 时间，<em>还是</em> 去 医院 吧。<span class="trans">I' | + | * 你 病 了 这么 长 时间，<em>还是</em> 去 医院 吧。<span class="trans">I've been sick for a long time. I'd better go to the doctor.</span> |
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Revision as of 02:41, 4 June 2013
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Keywords
One of the ways to use 还是 (háishì) is to have it mean "you had better," similar to how in English we may say "I think you had better start on your homework."
Structure
还是 as an adverb can express "had better" or "it would be better to". The idea is that the speaker has given the matter some thought, and after considering it, has finally come to a decision. The announcement of this decision will frequently include 还是, and it usually comes before a verb or a subject.
吧 is often placed after this structure, as it's a suggestion.
Examples
- 你 不 会， 还是 我 做 吧。You can't, I had better do it.
- 我 饿 了，我们 还是 先 吃饭 吧。I'm hungry, we had better eat first.
- 这里 太 脏 了， 我们 还是 走 吧。It's too dirty here. We'd better go.
- 你 还是 现在 就 跟 我 说 吧。You'd better talk with me now.
- 你 病 了 这么 长 时间，还是 去 医院 吧。I've been sick for a long time. I'd better go to the doctor.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 144) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 259-60) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 4 (新实用汉语课本4) (pp. 103) →buy
