How to use 还
还 + Verb
还 can add another action, possession, or ability to information already given. State the first item, then put 还 before the next verb phrase. When both phrases concern the same subject, repeating that subject is often unnecessary. The second phrase contributes something additional to the listener's picture.
This additive use often translates as “also,” “and,” or “what else.” It differs from a common use of 也 that says another person shares an action already mentioned. That contrast is a useful guide rather than a complete rule for either word. Read the connection between the clauses: 还 may also mean “still” elsewhere, especially when the sentence concerns continuation over time.
Examples with pinyin and English
她有一个弟弟， 还有一个妹妹。
She has a younger brother and also has a younger sister.
我老板会说法语， 还会说日语。
My boss can speak French and can also speak Japanese.
你要一杯咖啡， 还要什么？
You want a cup of coffee, and what else do you want?
我想吃冰淇淋， 还想吃汉堡。
I want to eat ice cream and I also want to eat a hamburger.
What to remember
- Use 还 before the additional predicate.
- A shared subject need not repeat.
- Context distinguishes addition from continuation.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.