would rather; preferably
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesadverb
would rather; preferably; better
neutral常与'也不'、'也要'、'也要'等连用，表示在两种情况中选择一种，即使需要付出代价或牺牲也愿意。语气比'宁可'稍强，多用于口语。
Wǒ我
nìng宁
kěn肯
bù不
chī吃
fàn饭
，
yě也
yào要
bǎ把
zhè这
gè个
xiàng项
mù目
zuò做
wán完
。
I would rather skip meals than leave this project unfinished.
Tā他
nìng宁
kěn肯
zì自
jǐ己
chī吃
kuī亏
，
yě也
bù不
yuàn愿
yì意
ràng让
péng朋
yǒu友
shòu受
wěi委
qu屈
。
He would rather suffer losses himself than let his friends be wronged.
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Nìng宁
kěn肯
zhàn站
zhe着
sǐ死
，
jué决
bù不
guì跪
zhe着
shēng生
。
Better to die standing than to live on one's knees.