nìng宁（寧）
宁（寧）
common
Meaning of 宁
宁 means would rather; prefer; how could; could it be that; how is it possible. Pronounced nìng.
- would rather; prefer
- how could; could it be that; how is it possible
Character Info
Radical宀
Strokes5
Components
宀
丁
Stroke Order
宁
Definitions & Examples
Tā他
nìng宁
sǐ死
bù不
qū屈
，
jué绝
bù不
tóu投
xiáng降
。
He would rather die than surrender.
Nìng宁
wéi为
yù玉
suì碎
，
bù不
wéi为
wǎ瓦
quán全
，
zhè这
shì是
tā他
de的
rén人
shēng生
xìn信
tiáo条
。
"Rather die with honor than live in disgrace" is his life motto.
Wǒ我
nìng宁
kěn肯
zǒu走
lù路
yě也
bù不
jǐ挤
dì地
tiě铁
。
I would rather walk than take the crowded subway.
Tā她
nìng宁
yào要
zhì质
liàng量
bù不
yào要
shù数
liàng量
。
She would rather have quality than quantity.
Tā他
nìng宁
kě可
bù不
shuì睡
jiào觉
yě也
yào要
wán完
chéng成
zuò作
yè业
。
He would rather skip sleep than finish his homework.
Common Words
宁可 / 寧可nìngkě
would rather; prefer to
宁肯 / 寧肯nìngkěn
would rather; preferably
宁愿 / 寧願nìngyuàn
would rather; prefer to
宁死不屈 / 寧死不屈nìngsǐbùqū
rather die than submit; unyielding
安宁 / 安寧ānníng
peaceful; tranquil; serene
宁静 / 寧靜níngjìng
tranquil; peaceful; quiet
宁馨儿 / 寧馨兒níngxīnér
originally 'such a child'; later used to praise a child
息事宁人 / 息事寧人xīshìníngrén
mediate disputes; give in to avoid trouble