waan4 si6還是还是

Jyutpingwaan4 si6

Yalewàahn sih

副詞Very common

Definition

Still, yet, or after all; also used to express 'had better' or to make a suggestion.

still; yet; after all
had better; would be better to

colloquialdaily actions

How it's used

Use 都係 when you want to express a preference or a final decision after considering other options, often functioning like the English phrase had better. It carries a sense of resignation or a concluding judgment that something remains the best path forward. Unlike the Mandarin 還是, which is often used in questions to offer alternatives, the Cantonese 都係 is heavily focused on the speaker's final stance.

Common phrases

dou1都hai6係gam3咁waa6話

still say the same thing

dou1都hai6係m4唔hou2好

had better not

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 都係 with the Mandarin 還是 in questions. While 還是 can be used to ask 'A or B?', in Cantonese you should use 定係 instead to present a choice between two alternatives.