HSK 1 · Linking words

还是

hái shi

or; still; had better

Stroke order of 还是

2 characters, 16 strokes in total. Watch the animation, then try writing it yourself.

还 · 7 strokes 是 · 9 strokes

Memory trick

Walk '辶' back '还' and still pick what is right '是': this or that?

Parts: 还 still; return (辶 walk + 不) + 是 is; right

The characters in 还是

还 hái — still; also (7 strokes)
是 shì — to be (am / is / are) (9 strokes)

Example sentence

你喝茶还是喝咖啡？

Would you like tea or coffee?

Words with 还

还still; also 还有also; in addition

Words with 是

是to be (am / is / are)是不是is it or not 老是always (complaining)但是but 可是but 正是exactly; precisely 总是always 要是if 就是exactly; just 只是only; merely; but 有的是to have plenty of

More words: Linking words

也also; too 都all; both 还still; also 还有also; in addition 再again 就just; then 先first; in advance 马上immediately; right away 一起together 一块儿together 正在in the middle of (doing)正just; right; straight

Learn to write it by hand

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