Adding Info: 还 & 也
关联副词：还/也
Add information naturally using "also" and "still"
Place 也 or 还 directly before the verb or adjective they modify. They never come after the verb.
也 and 还 are adverbs, so they always sit between the subject and the verb — never at the start or end of the sentence.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Adding Info: 还 & 也 (关联副词：还/也)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 关联副词：还/也 pattern
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Understanding 关联副词：还/也
Think of 也 (yě) as your go-to word for "me too!" or "same here." It echoes something already said. 还 (hái) is more like adding another item to a list — "and on top of that..." or "still." Together they let you layer information smoothly, which is exactly how natural Chinese conversations flow. In English, "also" and "too" can float around the sentence pretty freely — "I also like tea" or "I like tea too." But in Chinese, 也 and 还 are disciplined soldiers: they always march right in front of the verb, no exceptions. Once you lock in that position rule, these two words become incredibly easy to use and will make your Chinese sound connected and natural.
Key Points
- 也 emphasizes sameness — the new subject shares a trait or action with someone already mentioned.
- 还 adds extra information — "in addition" or "furthermore." It can also mean "still" when describing an ongoing state.
- Both must come before the verb. Saying 我喝也咖啡 is wrong — it should be 我也喝咖啡.
- You can combine them: 他也还想去 (he also still wants to go), though this is less common at HSK 1.
- 还 can soften adjectives to mean "fairly" or "not bad": 还好 (not bad), 还可以 (it's okay).
- 也 works with 不 and 没: 我也不知道 (I don't know either), 她也没去 (she didn't go either).
- In negative sentences with 也, the order is: 也 + 不/没 + verb. Never put 不 before 也.
Chinese speakers love piling on agreement. Responding with 我也是！(me too!) is one of the fastest ways to build rapport in a conversation.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
我也是学生。
I am also a student.
Echoing a previous statement
她也喜欢喝茶。
She also likes drinking tea.
他还要去北京。
He still wants to go to Beijing.
"still" — the desire continues
我还有一个问题。
I still have one question.
弟弟也想吃饭。
Little brother also wants to eat.
这个菜还不错。
This dish is pretty good.
还 as "fairly/rather"
服务员，我也要一杯咖啡。
Waiter, I'd also like a cup of coffee.
Ordering at a restaurant — echoing a friend's order
你还在上班吗？
Are you still at work?
Texting a friend — asking about an ongoing state
我也不知道他在哪儿。
I don't know where he is either.
也 in a negative sentence — "not either"
这家店还挺便宜的。
This shop is actually quite cheap.
Shopping — 还 as "surprisingly/fairly"
Common Mistakes
也 is an adverb and must come before the verb, not after it.
也 goes between the subject and the verb — it cannot start a sentence.
When combining 也 and 还, the standard order is 也 before 还.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Think of 也 as a mirror — it reflects what someone else already said or did.
Remember: in Chinese, adverbs are loyal to their verb. 也 and 还 always stand right in front of the verb, like a bodyguard.
When someone tells you something about themselves, a quick 我也是！(me too!) is an instant conversation builder.
Mnemonic for 还: picture a person STILL standing at a bus stop, ALSO holding extra bags. 还 covers both "still" and "also/in addition."
When texting friends, 还好吗？(still okay?) is a casual, caring check-in — use it often!
Homework
Write five sentences about your family using 也 and 还. For example: 我爸爸喜欢喝茶，我妈妈也喜欢喝茶。我还喜欢喝咖啡。