还是
Reach for this 还是 in the 'still / continues to' meaning — the version that says a state, habit, or trend has NOT changed even though one might expect it to. It sits before the verb or adjective, often with a sense of mild concession ('even now, they still…'). This is a different job from the question-word 还是 ('or'); context plus position make it clear. Common in everyday speech and reflective writing about ongoing situations.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 还是 [VERB / ADJECTIVE]。
háishì
How to Think About It
还是 here is the 'despite expectations, no change' marker. The speaker is reporting that even after time has passed, options have shifted, or pressure has built, the situation persists. Imagine an arrow pointing forward in time — 还是 says the line stayed flat. Native speakers often pair it with a previous clause that flags the surprising context ('prices went up, but people 还是 buy').
Examples
天这么冷，他还是骑车去上班。
Tiān zhème lěng, tā háishì qí chē qù shàngbān.
It's so cold, but he still bikes to work.
考试很难，可大家还是过了。
Kǎoshì hěn nán, kě dàjiā háishì guò le.
The exam was hard, but everyone still passed.
试了几次，他还是没成功。
Shì le jǐ cì, tā háishì méi chénggōng.
He tried several times and still didn't succeed.
Common Mistake
Learners assume every 还是 means 'or' and try to read this version as a question. The 'still/continues' 还是 appears in declarative sentences and does NOT take a second option after it.
他还是来还是不来。 (mixing two meanings)
他还是来了。
Don't Confuse With
还是 (or — question)
In questions offering two choices (你喝茶还是咖啡？), 还是 separates options. The 'still' meaning only appears in statements.
还 (hái) + Verb
Plain 还 already means 'still / additionally.' 还是 adds a tone of 'in the end' or 'despite everything' — slightly stronger and more reflective.
仍然 + Verb
仍然 is the formal, written 'still.' 还是 is its conversational sibling — choose 还是 in speech and informal writing.
Practice
Fill in the blank: 下雨了，他 ___ 是去跑步了。
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还
Fill in the blank: 那家店涨价了，可是大家 ___ 喜欢。
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还是
Arrange into a sentence: 还是 / 加班 / 周末 / 他 / 在
Show answer
周末他还是在加班。
Translate to Chinese: Even after so many years, she still misses her hometown.
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过了这么多年，她还是想念家乡。
Write a sentence where conditions changed but a habit or feeling continued, using 还是.
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搬到了新城市，他还是每天给妈妈打电话。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode:
Related Grammar Patterns
Acquire by listening
Hear 还是 in real Chinese, not in a textbook.
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