还是……吧
had better …, let’s … after all (on second thought)
Structure
（主语） 还是 + 动词 + 吧
What it means
“On second thought, it’s better to …”: you have weighed the options and settle on one.
How it is built
(Subject) + 还是 + verb + 吧: 外边下雨了，我们还是明天去吧 (It’s raining out. We’d better go tomorrow).
When to use it
It often comes right after a reason (太贵了, 太晚了) and sounds like friendly advice or a group decision: 太晚了，你还是坐出租车回家吧.
Watch out
This 还是 is not “or”: it goes before the verb, and the sentence is advice, not a choice. Keep 吧 at the end: it marks the decision.
Examples
外边下雨了，我们还是明天去吧。
It’s raining out. We’d better go tomorrow.
这个酒店太贵了，还是找别的吧。
This hotel is too expensive. Let’s find another one.
太晚了，你还是坐出租车回家吧。
It’s too late. You’d better take a taxi home.
我还是在家看小说吧。
I think I’ll just stay in and read a novel.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 18: 周末去哪儿 (Weekend choices)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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