HSK 6
不是...还...: More Is Needed in Chinese
不是...还/还是... rejects the idea that one action or condition is sufficient and adds what remains necessary or advisable. The first clause commonly contains 就可以, 就够了, or a similar sufficiency claim. The second clause uses 还 or 还是 to introduce the additional step, requirement, or recommendation.
STRUCTURE
不是 + X alone 就够了, 还需要 + step Y
When to use 不是…还/还是… — and when not
Use it when
- Reject a limited standard: 不是读完了就可以了，还要写总结。
- Add a requirement after saying the first action alone is insufficient.
- Use 还是 to recommend consulting or considering an additional source.
Don't use it when
- Use 不是...而是... when correcting X and replacing it with Y.
- Do not leave the added requirement after 还 or 还是 incomplete.
- Do not use the pattern when the first action actually is sufficient.
Right vs. wrong
不是读完了就可以了，还要。
不是读完了就可以了，还要写总结。
The additional requirement is missing
还要 must be followed by the additional action required.
不是就读完了可以了，还要复习。
不是读完了就可以了，还要复习。
The sufficiency clause is split
就可以了 follows the completed first action and cannot surround it.
Examples
不是读完了就可以了，还要写总结。
Bú shì dúwán le jiù kěyǐ le, hái yào xiě zǒngjié.
Finishing the reading is not enough; you also need to write a summary.
这事不是你想做就能做的，还是要听听大家的意见。
Zhè shì bú shì nǐ xiǎng zuò jiù néng zuò de, háishì yào tīngting dàjiā de yìjiàn.
This is not something you can simply do; you should still hear everyone's views.
学语法不是记住规则就够了，还要多练习。
Xué yǔfǎ bú shì jìzhù guīzé jiù gòu le, hái yào duō liànxí.
Memorizing rules is not enough for grammar; you also need practice.
Common mistakes
不是读完了就可以了，还要。
Bú shì dúwán le jiù kěyǐ le, hái yào.
Complete the additional requirement after 还要.
不是就读完了可以了，还要复习。
Bú shì jiù dúwán le kěyǐ le, hái yào fùxí.
Keep the order 读完了就可以了.
Think you've got it?
Write your own 不是…还/还是… sentence and check that grammar point first.
不是...还...: More Is Needed FAQ
How is this different from 不是...而是...?
不是...而是... replaces one claim with another. This pattern says the first action alone is insufficient and adds another requirement.
What commonly appears in the first clause?
Expressions of sufficiency such as 就可以了, 就够了, or 就能 often frame the limited idea being rejected.
Related Chinese grammar points
不是…而是…
不是...而是... (búshì...érshì)
Easy to confuse
Separate adding a requirement from replacing one claim with another.
不仅/不光…还/而且…
不仅...而且... (bùjǐn...érqiě)
Compare
Compare an insufficient first step with two reinforcing positive points.
不但不/不但没有…反而…
不但不...反而... (bùdàn...fǎn'ér)
Compare
Distinguish an added requirement from a reversal after negation.