Is there any difference between using 最好 and 还是....吧 when saying 'had better/had best?
Is there any difference between using 最好 and 还是....吧 when saying 'had better/had best? Is there a difference in tone for example, or maybe one is more suitable for different kinds of situations?

For example: If we compare these 2 sentences “你最好离开” and “你还是离开吧”, is there any difference? Would you choose one over the other depending on the circumstances?

Question

Is there any difference between using 最好 and 还是....吧 when saying 'had better/had best?
Is there any difference between using 最好 and 还是....吧 when saying 'had better/had best? Is there a difference in tone for example, or maybe one is more suitable for different kinds of situations?

For example: If we compare these 2 sentences “你最好离开” and “你还是离开吧”, is there any difference? Would you choose one over the other depending on the circumstances?

Answer

最好 is stronger than 还是....吧
你最好离开 means "You had better leave otherwise something bad will happen to you."  It's kind of warning.
你还是离开吧 means " You suggest somebody leaving.''

Hope it will help you.

Answer

I agree with Emily .最好 is stronger than 还是....吧 in tone.

Answer

你最好离开sounds unfriendly than你还是离开吧，and最好离开sometimes have a warning mean，but你还是离开吧is just a suggest.In fact，you can also use你最好还是离开吧...it is also a suggest...