Difference between revisions of "Expressing "rather than..." with "yuqi... buru""
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Just like any other language, Chinese has many ways of expressing preference. One of the common ways is to use the 与其...不如（yǔqí...bùrú), and other similar variations. | Just like any other language, Chinese has many ways of expressing preference. One of the common ways is to use the 与其...不如（yǔqí...bùrú), and other similar variations. | ||
| − | == Structure | + | == Structure == |
When a speaker uses 与其...不如（yǔqí...bùrú) to express "Prefer...rather than", he is choosing B over A. You can also add an optional 还, 倒, 真 before the 不如. | When a speaker uses 与其...不如（yǔqí...bùrú) to express "Prefer...rather than", he is choosing B over A. You can also add an optional 还, 倒, 真 before the 不如. | ||
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| − | == Expressing an objective observation | + | == Expressing an objective observation == |
In this structure, the speaker is basically saying the same thing, but actually using it with the verb 说. It expresses an objective judgment or evaluation, and according to the speaker, the latter part (B) is more correct or accurate than the earlier part (A). | In this structure, the speaker is basically saying the same thing, but actually using it with the verb 说. It expresses an objective judgment or evaluation, and according to the speaker, the latter part (B) is more correct or accurate than the earlier part (A). | ||
Revision as of 08:29, 20 May 2016
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Just like any other language, Chinese has many ways of expressing preference. One of the common ways is to use the 与其...不如（yǔqí...bùrú), and other similar variations.
Contents
Structure
When a speaker uses 与其...不如（yǔqí...bùrú) to express "Prefer...rather than", he is choosing B over A. You can also add an optional 还, 倒, 真 before the 不如.
与其 + A，不如 + B
Examples
- 与其 这样 等着，不如 找点 事 做做。
- 与其 你 去，还不如 我 去，我 对 那边的 情况 更 了解。
- 天气 这么 好，与其 在家里 看 电视，不如 去 野餐。
Expressing an objective observation
In this structure, the speaker is basically saying the same thing, but actually using it with the verb 说. It expresses an objective judgment or evaluation, and according to the speaker, the latter part (B) is more correct or accurate than the earlier part (A).
与其说 + A，不如说 + B
Examples
- 他 的 话，与其说 是 鼓励，不如说 是 责备。
- 与其说 你 没 学 好，倒 不如说 说 我 没 教 好。
- 他的 学习 成绩 有所 下降，与其说 老师 同学 对他 的 帮助 不够，不如说 他 自己 努力 得 不够。
Structure with 与其...宁可
与其...宁可(yǔqí...nìngkě) expresses preference by making a comparison. In this grammar pattern,the first option (A) is rejected, and the second option (B) is taken. This is like saying "in comparison to A, I would rather B." You can also swap out the 宁可 for 你愿 or 宁肯, which have the same meaning.
与其 + A，宁可（宁愿，宁肯）+ B
Examples
- 与其 大家 都 倒霉，宁可 我 一 个 人 承担 这 个 责任。
- 去 市区 的话，与其 开车 过去，我 宁愿 坐 地铁 过去。
- 周末，与其 在家里 宅着，宁愿 和 朋友 一起 去 逛街。
Sources and further reading
Books
- 现代汉语八百词（P.637） →buy
- Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) (p. 292)→buy
