The set pattern “还是……吧”
The pattern “还是……吧” (háishì... ba) is used to pick the option that seems better among several.
还是háishìhad better / still
吧bagives the tone of a suggestion or a gentle piece of advice
It is usually rendered as:
“let's… instead”
“we'd better…”
“…would be better.”
Basic structure
还是 + action + 吧
Meaning: this is the thing we had better do.
Examples
我们还是打车去吧
我们wǒmenwe
还是háishìhad better
打车去dǎchē qùgo by taxi
吧basuggestion tone
Here going by taxi is chosen as the better option.
那件衣服很好看，还是买那件吧
那件衣服很好看nà jiàn yīfu hěn hǎokànthat piece of clothing looks great
还是háishìhad better
买那件mǎi nà jiànbuy that one
吧basuggestion
Here buying that particular item is treated as the better choice.
你第一次去北京，还是找个人接你吧
你第一次去北京nǐ dì-yī cì qù Běijīngit's your first time going to Beijing
还是háishìhad better
找个人接你zhǎo ge rén jiē nǐfind someone to meet you
吧baa gentle piece of advice
Quick rule
还是 + action + 吧
Meaning: to pick the better of several options and suggest it.
还是打车去吧。— Let's take a taxi instead.
还是买那件吧。— Let's buy that one instead.
还是找个人接你吧。— You'd better find someone to meet you.