rather than; better to
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadverb
rather than; better to say
literaryUsed in formal or literary contexts, often in the structure '与其说...，无宁说...' to indicate that the latter option is more accurate or preferable than the former.
Zhè这
yǔ与
qí其
shuō说
shì是
qí奇
jì迹
，
wú无
nìng宁
shuō说
shì是
lì历
shǐ史
fā发
zhǎn展
de的
bì必
rán然
chǎn产
wù物
。
This is rather than saying it's a miracle, better to say it's the inevitable product of historical development.
Yǔ与
qí其
děng等
dài待
jī机
huì会
，
wú无
nìng宁
zhǔ主
dòng动
chuàng创
zào造
jī机
huì会
。
Rather than waiting for opportunities, it's better to actively create them.
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Tā他
wú无
nìng宁
sǐ死
yě也
bù不
huì会
bèi背
pàn叛
zì自
jǐ己
de的
péng朋
you友
。
He would rather die than betray his friends.
Zhè这
zhǒng种
tài态
dù度
wú无
nìng宁
shuō说
shì是
ào傲
màn慢
，
bù不
rú如
shuō说
shì是
wú无
zhī知
。
This attitude is rather than saying arrogance, better to say ignorance.