HSK 7
宁可/宁愿……，也不……
nìng kě / nìng yuàn … … ， yě bù … …
The structure "Would rather... than..."
Explanation
宁可/宁愿……，也不…… is a compound sentence expressing choice (a sentence with two clauses joined by a pair of conjunctions), meaning 'would rather… than…', stating what one chooses (even at a disadvantage) and what one resolutely refuses.
宁可/宁愿 (nìngkě/nìngyuàn) + option A (accepting the disadvantage), 也不 (yěbù) + option B (the thing to avoid). After 也不 there is often 愿意 (yuànyì) or 肯 (kěn).
When weighing two options that are both unpleasant and choosing A to uphold a principle/avoid the worse thing B; used in both speech and writing.
宁可 (nìngkě) and 宁愿 (nìngyuàn) are interchangeable; 宁愿 leans more toward emotion and personal will. It differs from 与其……不如…… (yǔqí…bùrú…, 'rather than… it is better to…'), which is used to compare and advise choosing the better option.
Do not reverse the order of the two clauses (the chosen option must be in the 宁可 clause, the refused option in the 也不 clause); and do not drop the 也 in the latter clause (the pair 宁可…也不… go together).
Examples
He would rather go to class on an empty stomach than eat unhealthy junk food.
He would rather shoulder it himself than be willing to push the responsibility onto others.
Practice
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Learn “宁可/宁愿……，也不……” effectively
The grammar point “宁可/宁愿……，也不……” (The structure "Would rather... than...") is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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