Level 3 · Intermediate
Had better: 最好 and 还是…吧
Subj. + 最好 + Verb / 还是 … 吧 · Traditional: Subj. + 最好 + Verb / 還是 … 吧
最好 (zuìhǎo) before the verb gives advice with a hint of warning — literally "it's best (if)": 你最好早点睡觉 "you'd better go to bed early". It goes after the subject, right before the action you're recommending.
When you're talking yourself or the group into the safer option, use 还是…吧: 太晚了，我们还是明天再去吧 "it's late — let's just go tomorrow instead". The 吧 keeps it a gentle suggestion. Note this 还是 isn't asking "or" — it means "on second thought, better to…".
Examples
明天有考试，你最好在家复习。
明天有考試，你最好在家複習。
míng tiān yǒu kǎo shì nǐ zuì hǎo zài jiā fù xí
There's a test tomorrow — you'd better stay home and review.
外面很冷，你最好多穿一点。
外面很冷，你最好多穿一點。
wài miàn hěn lěng nǐ zuì hǎo duō chuān yī diǎn
It's cold outside — you'd better put on a bit more.
你最好先给他打个电话。
你最好先給他打個電話。
nǐ zuì hǎo xiān gěi tā dǎ gè diàn huà
You'd better give him a call first.
太晚了，我们还是明天再去吧。
太晚了，我們還是明天再去吧。
tài wǎn le wǒ men hái shi míng tiān zài qù ba
It's too late — let's just go tomorrow instead.
Common mistakes
✗ 我们或者明天再去吧。
✓ 我们还是明天再去吧。
"Let's just…" suggestions take 还是…吧 — 或者 only lists options, it doesn't recommend one.
Related grammar points
Practice this pattern in graded stories like Mom Knows Best (Part 1) inside the Literate Chinese app.
