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How to say “rather than…” in Chinese with 与其 (yǔqí)

与其 (yǔqí) + Option A, 不如 (bùrú) + Option B

Expressing "rather than…" with "与其 (yǔqí) … 不如 (bùrú) …"

HSK 6Sentence patterns

Rule structure

与其 (yǔqí)…不如 (bùrú)… is a comparative structure meaning "rather than A, it’s better to do B". It expresses preference between two actions.

Examples

与其等待，不如主动争取。

Yǔqí děngdài, bùrú zhǔdòng zhēngqǔ.

Rather than waiting, it’s better to take the initiative.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing "rather than…" with "与其 (yǔqí) … 不如 (bùrú) …"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 与其 (yǔqí) + Option A, 不如 (bùrú) + Option B. For example: 与其等待，不如主动争取。 — “Rather than waiting, it’s better to take the initiative.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

与其等待，不如主动争取。 — “Rather than waiting, it’s better to take the initiative.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 6.

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More HSK 6 grammar rules

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兼 (jiān) + Noun / Verb (concurrently)

Expressing "similar to" with "跟 (gēn) … 似的 (shìde)"

跟 (gēn) + Noun + 似的 (shìde) — as if, like

Expressing "to be worthy of" with "不愧是 (bùkuì shì)"

不愧是 (bùkuì shì) + Noun / Noun Phrase

Expressing "nothing is more…than" with "莫过于 (mòguòyú)"

莫过于 (mòguòyú) + Noun / Verb Phrase

"Could it be that" with "岂不是 (qǐ bù shì)"

岂不是 (qǐ bù shì) + Rhetorical Question

Expressing "from this" with "由此 (yóucǐ)"

由此 (yóucǐ) + Verb / Clause (hence, thus)