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(hái)是(shì)had better / still

吧(ba)gives 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.

我(Wǒ)们(men)还(hái)是(shì)打(dǎ)车(chē)去(qù)吧(ba)。

Let's take a taxi instead.

我们 + 还是 + 打车去 + 吧 we + had better + go by taxi + suggestion

我(wǒ)们(men)we

还(hái)是(shì)had better

打(dǎ)车(chē)去(qù)go by taxi

吧(ba)suggestion tone

Here going by taxi is chosen as the better option.

那(Nà)件(jiàn)衣(yī)服(fu)很(hěn)好(hǎo)看(kàn)，还(hái)是(shì)买(mǎi)那(nà)件(jiàn)吧(ba)。

That piece of clothing looks great — let's buy that one instead.

还是 + 买那件 + 吧 had better + buy that one + suggestion

那(nà)件(jiàn)衣(yī)服(fu)很(hěn)好(hǎo)看(kàn)that piece of clothing looks great

还(hái)是(shì)had better

买(mǎi)那(nà)件(jiàn)buy that one

吧(ba)suggestion

Here buying that particular item is treated as the better choice.

你(Nǐ)第(dì-)一(yī)次(cì)去(qù)北(Běi)京(jīng)，还(hái)是(shì)找(zhǎo)个(ge)人(rén)接(jiē)你(nǐ)吧(ba)。

It's your first time going to Beijing — you'd better find someone to meet you.

还是 + 找个人接你 + 吧 had better + find someone to meet you + suggestion

你(nǐ)第(dì-)一(yī)次(cì)去(qù)北(Běi)京(jīng)it's your first time going to Beijing

还(hái)是(shì)had better

找(zhǎo)个(ge)人(rén)接(jiē)你(nǐ)find someone to meet you

吧(ba)a gentle piece of advice

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.