Expressing “still” with 还是 and 还(没)…呢
Let’s learn how we can express an ongoing or an incomplete action.
The adverb 还是
We use the verb 还是 
before a predicate verb to indicate that some action or state is still ongoing.
before a predicate verb to indicate that some action or state is still ongoing. Pay attention
Sometimes it may be shortened to 还.
Examples
他还不舒服
He's still not feeling well
tā hái bù shūfu
他还是打光棍的
He's still a bachelor
tā háishi dǎ guānggùn de
这个问题到现在还是一个谜
This question is still a mystery
zhè ge wèntí dào xiànzài háishi yí ge mí
The 还…呢 structure
We can use the structure 还…呢 to express the same meaning as the adverb 还是.
We should state the subject before the structure. In place of the ellipsis, we usually state a verb phrase.
to express the same meaning as the adverb 还是.
We should state the subject before the structure. In place of the ellipsis, we usually state a verb phrase.Scheme
subject
还
predicate
action/state
呢
Examples
天都黑了, 你还看书呢
It's dark and you are still reading books
tiān dōu hēi le, nǐ hái kànshū ne
这个东西是否还存在呢？
Does this thing still exist?
zhè ge dōngxi shìfǒu hái cúnzài ne
我还躺在海滩上呢
I'm still lying on the beach
wǒ hái tǎng zài hǎitān shàng ne
The 还没…呢 structure
To express that an action has not yet ended, we should state the negative particle 没 after 还.
after 还.Scheme
subject
还没
predicate
action/state
呢
Examples
我还没穿好衣服呢
I'm not even dressed yet
wǒ hái méi chuānhǎo yīfu ne
我还没做完地理科家庭作业呢
I haven't finished my geography homework yet
wǒ hái méi zuòwán dìlǐ kē jiātíng zuòyè ne
我还没有收到他的信呢
I haven't received his letter yet
wǒ hái méi yǒu shōudào tā de xìn ne
Pay attention
We usually use such sentences with the result complement.