How to say “would rather” in Chinese with 宁可 (nìngkě)
宁可 (nìngkě) / 宁愿 (nìngyuàn) + A, 也不 (yě bù) + B
宁可 (níng kě) — would rather
宁可 (nìngkě) / 宁愿 (nìngyuàn) + A, 也不 (yě bù) + B
HSK 5Sentence Patterns宁可 (níng kě) — would rather
Rule structure
宁可 (níng kě) (nìngkě) or 宁愿 (níng yuàn) (nìngyuàn) expresses strong preference. With 也不 (yě bù), the pattern means “would rather A than B” and emphasizes rejection of the second option.
Rule structure
宁可 (níng kě) (nìngkě) or 宁愿 (níng yuàn) (nìngyuàn) expresses strong preference. With 也不 (yě bù), the pattern means “would rather A than B” and emphasizes rejection of the second option.
Examples
我宁可饿死，也不吃这个。
Wǒ nìngkě è sǐ, yě bù chī zhège.
I would rather starve than eat this.
Examples
我宁可饿死，也不吃这个。
Wǒ nìngkě è sǐ, yě bù chī zhège.
I would rather starve than eat this.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “would rather” in Chinese with 宁可?
Use the structure: 宁可 (nìngkě) / 宁愿 (nìngyuàn) + A, 也不 (yě bù) + B. For example: 我宁可饿死，也不吃这个。 — “I would rather starve than eat this.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我宁可饿死，也不吃这个。 — “I would rather starve than eat this.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.
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More HSK 5 grammar rules
有关的 — related to…
跟 (gēn) / 和 (hé) / 与 (yǔ) + Noun + 有关的 (yǒuguān de) + Noun
不但…甚至连 — not only… even…
不但 (búdàn) + Clause 1, 甚至 (shènzhì) + 连 (lián) + Noun + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + Verb
所 — so-called
所谓 (suǒwèi) + Noun Phrase
一面 — simultaneous actions
一面 (yímiàn) + Verb 1, 一面 (yímiàn) + Verb 2
等于 — equal to
A + 等于 (děngyú) + B
更不用说 — let alone
⋯⋯，更不用说 (gèng bùyòng shuō)⋯⋯
而已 — that's all
Clause + 而已 (éryǐ)
别说 — let alone
别说 (biéshuō)⋯⋯，就是 (jiùshì)⋯⋯