还是 (háishì)

还是 is used to present two alternatives in a question, asking which one applies. This is a KEY learner confusion: 还是 belongs in questions, while 或者 (huòzhě) belongs in statements. Never swap them.

Meanings

[conjunction] Or (used in questions offering a choice between A and B).
[adverb] Still, nevertheless (in a different usage: 还是来吧, "you should still come").

Example Sentences

你喝茶还是咖啡？ Nǐ hē chá háishì kāfēi? Do you drink tea or coffee?

你去还是不去？ Nǐ qù háishì bù qù? Are you going or not?

这是你的还是他的？ Zhè shì nǐ de háishì tā de? Is this yours or his?

你喜欢夏天还是冬天？ Nǐ xǐhuān xiàtiān háishì dōngtiān? Do you prefer summer or winter?

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
A还是B	A or B (in a question)
还是你来	you had better come (adverb use)
还是算了	forget it, better not
还是不错	still pretty good
你说还是我说	you speak or I speak

Memory Hook

还 also means "still," so picture still asking: "Is it A, or is it still B?" That "still questioning" feeling signals 还是 lives in questions.