还 for Still, Also, and Else in Chinese
还
还 can continue a situation as 'still,' add another action as 'also,' or ask for something additional as 'else.' In each use, it appears before the predicate: 他还在这儿, 我还要买纸. It cannot split a verb from its object or normally stand before an explicit subject.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Subject + 还 + Predicate
Read the structure
还 can continue a situation as 'still,' add another action as 'also,' or ask for something additional as 'else.' In each use, it appears before the predicate: 他还在这儿, 我还要买纸. It cannot split a verb from its object or normally stand before an explicit subject. Keep the model Subject + 还 + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
他还在学校。
He is still at school.
Choose the right context
Show that a situation continues: 他还在学校。 Add another action by the same subject: 我还要买一本书。 Ask what additional thing is wanted: 你还要什么？
我还要买一本书。
I also want to buy a book.
Respect the boundary
Do not place 还 between a transitive verb and its object. Do not put 还 before an explicit subject in the neutral clause order. Do not assume every 还 means 'still'; context can make it 'also' or 'else.'
我买还一本书。
(I am also buying a book.)
Repair the pattern
还 inserted between a verb and its object: 还 modifies the predicate 买一本书 and must come before the verb. It cannot split 买 from its object. 还 inserted between a verb and its object: 还 modifies the complete predicate 会说中文 and cannot split the verb 说 from its object 中文.
我还买一本书。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
他还在学校。
He is still at school.
他
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
还
还
This part occupies the 还 position in the model pattern.
在
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
学校
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
他还在学校。
He is still at school.
我还要买一本书。
I also want to buy a book.
你还要什么？
What else do you want?
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Show that a situation continues: 他还在学校。
- Add another action by the same subject: 我还要买一本书。
- Ask what additional thing is wanted: 你还要什么？
Do not use it when
- Do not place 还 between a transitive verb and its object.
- Do not put 还 before an explicit subject in the neutral clause order.
- Do not assume every 还 means 'still'; context can make it 'also' or 'else.'
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
我买还一本书。
我还买一本书。
还 inserted between a verb and its object
还 modifies the predicate 买一本书 and must come before the verb. It cannot split 买 from its object.
他会说还中文。
他还会说中文。
还 inserted between a verb and its object
还 modifies the complete predicate 会说中文 and cannot split the verb 说 from its object 中文.
我买还一本书。
还 modifies the predicate 买一本书 and must come before the verb. It cannot split 买 from its object.
他会说还中文。
还 modifies the complete predicate 会说中文 and cannot split the verb 说 from its object 中文.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 还.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 还. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
还 for Still, Also, and Else Questions
Does 还 mean still or also?
It can mean either. A continuing state favors 'still,' while an added action or item favors 'also' or 'else'; the surrounding predicate supplies the meaning.
Where does 还 go?
Normally after the subject and before the predicate: 他还在这儿 and 我还要买纸. It does not split a verb-object phrase.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, A.1.1.6 副词, 【一13】关联副词：还、也
Supports placement in HSK 1; it does not independently establish the usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: §15.2.3 and §40.2 (还 for continuation and additional information)
还 precedes the predicate and can mark a continuing situation, an additional action, or an additional requested item.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
尚尚: Formal Still or Not Yet
Compare this lesson with formal 尚 marking a remaining state or requirement; both belong to addition and secondary information, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
Compare
并并: Formal Additive Coordination
Compare this lesson with 并 coordinating a second predicate or strengthening negation; both belong to addition and secondary information, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
Compare
顺便顺便: Doing a Secondary Action
Compare this lesson with 顺便 adding a secondary action performed on the same occasion; both belong to addition and secondary information, but they organize a different sentence role or discourse job.
Continue learning
也也 Word Order (Also/Too)
Continue with the reviewed follow-up lesson to apply this pattern inside a broader, explicitly connected grammar construction.
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Continue with the reviewed follow-up lesson to apply this pattern inside a broader, explicitly connected grammar construction.