In 15 Sekunden
- Used to maintain harmony after a conflict or change.
- The standard phrase for a gentle breakup or rejection.
- Emphasizes that the relationship is more important than the issue.
Bedeutung
This phrase is used to reassure someone that despite a disagreement, a breakup, or a change in circumstances, your friendship remains intact. It is the ultimate 'no hard feelings' statement in Chinese.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6After a romantic breakup
分手后，我们还是朋友。
After breaking up, we are still friends.
After a heated argument about a movie
别生气了，我们还是朋友。
Don't be angry anymore, we're still friends.
Declining a date request
对不起，但我希望我们还是朋友。
I'm sorry, but I hope we're still friends.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is heavily associated with 'Face' (面子). Breaking up or arguing publicly is seen as a loss of face for both parties. This phrase acts as a social lubricant to prevent that. In Taiwan, the phrase is often used with a softer sentence-final particle like '啦' (la) to sound less blunt and more sincere. There is a famous saying: '买卖不成仁义在' (The deal failed, but the kindness/friendship remains). This phrase is the colloquial version of that sentiment. Countless songs use this phrase as a hook. It represents the 'bittersweet' aesthetic (伤感) that is very popular in Chinese youth culture.
The 'Soft' Tone
Say this with a gentle, slightly rising intonation at the end to sound sincere rather than dismissive.
The Friend-Zone Trap
Be careful! If you say this to someone who just confessed their love, it is a clear 'no.' Make sure that's what you mean.
In 15 Sekunden
- Used to maintain harmony after a conflict or change.
- The standard phrase for a gentle breakup or rejection.
- Emphasizes that the relationship is more important than the issue.
What It Means
我们还是朋友 (Wǒmen háishì péngyǒu) is a comforting anchor in social storms. It translates to 'We are still friends.' The key word here is 还是 (háishì), which means 'still' or 'nevertheless.' It suggests that even though something happened—maybe a heated argument or a romantic split—the fundamental bond of friendship hasn't broken. It is a way to hit the reset button on tension.
How To Use It
You can drop this phrase at the end of a difficult conversation. It works best as a concluding statement to soften a blow. If you have to decline an invitation or disagree with a close colleague, adding this reminds them that the relationship matters more than the issue. It is like a verbal hug after a minor collision. Use it when you want to ensure there is no lingering awkwardness.
When To Use It
Use it when you are 'friend-zoning' someone gently. It is the classic line for a soft breakup. Use it after you have won a competitive game or a debate against a friend to show you aren't gloating. It is also perfect for reconciling after a petty fight about where to eat dinner. In a professional setting, use it with a work-buddy after a stressful project ends. It keeps the atmosphere light and cooperative.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you are actually ending the relationship for good. It will send mixed signals and cause confusion. Avoid using it in extremely formal business negotiations with strangers; it sounds too personal. If someone is truly angry at you, saying this too early might feel dismissive of their feelings. Wait for the dust to settle a bit. Also, don't say it with a sarcastic tone unless you want to lose that friend!
Cultural Background
Chinese culture places a massive emphasis on 'saving face' and maintaining social harmony (和谐 - héxié). Directly cutting ties is often seen as too harsh. This phrase acts as a 'social lubricant.' It allows both parties to exit a tense situation without losing dignity. Even if the 'friendship' becomes more distant, saying this preserves the outward appearance of peace. It reflects the value of long-term connections over short-term conflicts.
Common Variations
You might hear 我们永远是朋友 (Wǒmen yǒngyuǎn shì péngyǒu), which means 'We are friends forever.' That one is much more emotional and intense. Another common one is 做不成恋人，还可以做朋友 (Zuò bù chéng liànrén, hái kěyǐ zuò péngyǒu). This specifically means 'If we can't be lovers, we can still be friends.' It’s the quintessential breakup consolation prize. For a more casual vibe, you can just say 还是好朋友 (háishì hǎo péngyǒu)—'still good friends.'
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase sits comfortably in the 'neutral' to 'informal' range. It is emotionally supportive but can be used as a polite social exit strategy. Avoid using it in purely transactional or high-stakes formal environments.
The 'Soft' Tone
Say this with a gentle, slightly rising intonation at the end to sound sincere rather than dismissive.
The Friend-Zone Trap
Be careful! If you say this to someone who just confessed their love, it is a clear 'no.' Make sure that's what you mean.
Face Saving
Even if you don't plan to hang out, saying this is a polite way to end a conversation without 'breaking face.'
Beispiele
6分手后，我们还是朋友。
After breaking up, we are still friends.
The classic way to transition from lovers to friends.
别生气了，我们还是朋友。
Don't be angry anymore, we're still friends.
Used to de-escalate a petty disagreement.
对不起，但我希望我们还是朋友。
I'm sorry, but I hope we're still friends.
A polite way to 'friend-zone' someone gently.
虽然我赢了，但我们还是朋友吧？
Even though I won, we're still friends, right?
A humorous way to soften the blow of victory.
工作是工作，我们还是朋友。
Work is work, we are still friends.
Separates professional conflict from personal rapport.
好久没见了，我们还是朋友吗？
Long time no see, are we still friends?
A playful or sincere way to reconnect.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: {对不起|duìbuqǐ}，{我|wǒ}{不|bù}{能|néng}{去|qù}{你|nǐ}{的|de}{生日|shēngrì}{聚会|jùhuì}。 B: {没关系|méiguānxi}，_______。
B is reassuring A that missing the party doesn't ruin the friendship.
Fill in the missing word to mean 'still'.
{我们|wǒmen} ___ {朋友|péngyǒu}。
'还是' (háishì) means 'still' in this context.
Which situation best fits the phrase '{我们|wǒmen}{还是|háishì}{朋友|péngyǒu}'?
Situation: You just told someone you don't want to date them, but you like their company.
This is the primary use case for the phrase.
Choose the most natural translation for 'We are still friends.'
We are still friends.
The structure [Subj] + [还是] + [Noun] is the standard form.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenA: {对不起|duìbuqǐ}，{我|wǒ}{不|bù}{能|néng}{去|qù}{你|nǐ}{的|de}{生日|shēngrì}{聚会|jùhuì}。 B: {没关系|méiguānxi}，_______。
B is reassuring A that missing the party doesn't ruin the friendship.
{我们|wǒmen} ___ {朋友|péngyǒu}。
'还是' (háishì) means 'still' in this context.
Situation: You just told someone you don't want to date them, but you like their company.
This is the primary use case for the phrase.
We are still friends.
The structure [Subj] + [还是] + [Noun] is the standard form.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's used for any situation where a relationship might be strained, like after a big argument or a business disagreement.
No, it can also mean 'or' in questions (e.g., 'Coffee or tea?'). But in this sentence structure, it always means 'still.'
Not at all. It's actually a very polite way to maintain peace, though it can be painful in a romantic context.
Only if you have a very close, personal relationship. Otherwise, it's too informal.
'还是朋友' means the friendship never stopped. '做回朋友' implies you are returning to friendship after a period of being something else (like lovers).
A simple '好' (hǎo) or '我也希望如此' (I hope so too) is a standard response.
Extremely common. It's a staple of Mandopop 'breakup' ballads.
Yes, adding '好' (hǎo) makes it 'still GOOD friends,' which sounds more sincere and warm.
Only if your tone is very sharp or if you say it after doing something very mean.
Yes, '保持友谊' (bǎochí yǒuyì) is more formal and used in professional or written contexts.
Verwandte Redewendungen
{做|zuò}{回|huí}{朋友|péngyǒu}
similarTo go back to being friends.
{好|hǎo}{聚|jù}{好|hǎo}{散|sàn}
builds onTo part on good terms.
{绝交|juéjiāo}
contrastTo break off a friendship completely.
{老|lǎo}{朋友|péngyǒu}
specialized formOld friend.
