meaning of 不还是

[skyblue]

hello

can somebody please help me dissect this question.

那你的专业不还是用不上？

what does bu hai shi mean specifically?

thanks

[anonymoose]

This question contains a double negative. Here, 还是 means still, and 不 means not, so 不还是 means isn't it still.

那 | 你的专业 | 不 | 还是 | 用不上？

So | your major | is not | still | cannot be put to use / not useful ?

So isn't your major still not useful?

[mira_mio]

Alright. im new here. I am Chinese, (is Chinese allowed in here? lol) and i'll try to answer your question here

不还是...is used in this kind of context:

A: (making a statement.) eg. I have 3 days off this week. Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

B: but don't you have this project to finish....and don't you have a really mean boss?(raising resonable doubts). (suggesting an alternative)

A: (explain) well I will make up for my holidays next weekend.

B: (not convinced of A's first statement, maintaining his own conclusion) 那不还是等于没放假? So isn't it still "no real holidays"?

So. "不还是" is like "isn't it still....(the first statement/conclusion/idea/understanding)"

Did i make any sense?