Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the art of hypothetical choices and firm decisions in Chinese.
- Express conditions that don't change outcomes.
- Compare two options and suggest the better one.
- State strong personal preferences and firm choices.
学べること
Hey friend! Ready for a big step in your Chinese journey? This chapter teaches you how to express important choices and discuss hypotheticals, just like a native! You'll master saying "Even if it rains, I'm still coming! or suggesting, Rather than doing this, it's better to do that."
You'll learn six key Chinese conjunctions. First, «即使...也 (jíshǐ... yě)» helps you say even if... and show a constant outcome despite a challenge. Then, «与其...不如... (yǔqí... bùrú...)» lets you make better suggestions, preferring one option over another. Imagine at a restaurant, saying, "Rather than chicken, let's order fish.
Next, 宁可...也不... (nìngkě... yěbù...)
empowers you to make strong, decisive choices, likeI'd rather wait than do this task!
Finally, 宁 (nìng)" teaches firm choices, especially when you're hesitant between tough options.
After this chapter, you'll explain plans despite difficulties, offer top suggestions, and express firm decisions in Chinese. Ready for this new power? Let's go!
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～するよりは～するほうがいい ({与其|yǔqí}...{不如|bùrú})「与其...不如」を使って、イマイチな案の代わりに「もっといい案」を提案しましょう。キーワードは «与其» と «不如» です。
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より良い選択肢を選ぶ：AよりBがいい (与其...不如...)このフレーズは「Aするくらいなら、Bしたほうがずっといいよ！」と、一つの案を断って別のおすすめを提案する時に使います。«与其» でイマイチな方を、«不如» で「最高！」な方を伝えましょう。
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道を選ぶ：〜するよりはむしろ〜したい (宁 nìng)「AとBなら、絶対にAがいい！」という強い気持ちを伝えるときは «宁» を使いましょう。究極の選択をするときに便利な魔法の言葉です。
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究極の選択：「〜するくらいなら、むしろ〜する」「〜するくらいなら、むしろ〜する」という強い決意を伝えたい時は、 «宁可» (〜する方がマシ) と «也不» (絶対〜しない) のセットを使いましょう！
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中国語の「たとえ〜でも」(即使...也...)「たとえ〜という状況になっても、結果や意志は変わらない」と言いたい時に «即使...也...» というセットを使います。
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たとえ〜でも (即使...也)どんな状況でも結果が変わらないときは «即使...也» を使いましょう。あなたの「強い意志」を伝えるためのセットです。
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to: Use 即使(jíshǐ)...也(yě) to describe actions that will happen regardless of conditions.
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2
By the end you will be able to: Compare two choices using 与其(yǔqí)...不如(bùrú) to make recommendations.
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3
By the end you will be able to: Express a strong determination using 宁可(nìngkě) or 宁(nìng).
チャプターガイド
Overview
Hypotheticals and Tough Choices,is designed to empower A1 Chinese learners like you to express important choices and discuss hypotheticals, just like a native speaker!
or suggesting, Rather than doing this, it's better to do that." This is crucial for expressing personal preferences, making suggestions, and showing resolve in various scenarios. We'll dive into six key Chinese conjunctions and patterns: **即使...也 (jíshǐ...How This Grammar Works
even if... still. It's used to show that an outcome remains constant despite a challenging or hypothetical condition. Think of it as saying, No matter what, this will happen.
would rather [do A] than [do B].This structure expresses a strong, decisive choice, often indicating a firm refusal of the second option.
would rather or prefer to, especially when making a firm choice between tough options, sometimes with an implied alternative. It conveys a strong personal conviction. While often used in set phrases, for A1 Chinese, you'll see it as a strong preference.
Common Mistakes
- 1✗ Wrong: 即使下雨，我还要去。 (Jíshǐ xiàyǔ, wǒ hái yào qù.)
even if... still, 也 (yě) is the standard and most natural way to express still or also in this context, emphasizing the consistent outcome. Using 还 (hái) might sound a bit unnatural here.- 1✗ Wrong: 不如坐地铁，与其走路。 (Bùrú zuò dìtiě, yǔqí zǒulù.)
- 1✗ Wrong: 我宁可等，不吃。 (Wǒ nìngkě děng, bù chī.)
would rather A than B,it's crucial to include 也 (yě) before the negative action in the second clause (不 or 没有). This completes the structure and clearly links the two parts of the decisive choice.
Real Conversations
A
(It's raining outside, are we still going to the park?)
B
(Even if it rains, I still want to go. I like rainy days.)
A
(What should we eat for lunch? Noodles or rice?)
B
(Rather than eating noodles, it's better to eat rice. I prefer rice.)
A
(Are you willing to travel alone?)
B
(I'd rather go alone than go with people I don't know.)
Quick FAQ
What's the main difference between 即使...也 and just using 如果...就 (if... then)?
如果...就 (rúguǒ... jiù) introduces a conditional statement where the outcome depends on the condition. 即使...也 (jíshǐ... yě), however, emphasizes that the outcome will happen *regardless* of the condition, even if that condition is challenging or unexpected.
Can I use 宁愿 (nìngyuàn) instead of 宁可 (nìngkě) in the would rather structure?
Yes, for A1 Chinese learners, 宁愿 (nìngyuàn) and 宁可 (nìngkě) are largely interchangeable and both mean would rather or prefer to. They often convey a similar strong preference.
Is the 与其...不如... structure always used for positive suggestions?
Not necessarily positive, but it's always used to suggest a *better* or *more preferred* alternative. It's about making a comparative choice, where the second option is presented as more advantageous than the first.
When is it appropriate to use 宁 (nìng) as a standalone character to express would rather?
While 宁 (nìng) can appear alone, especially in idioms like 宁缺毋滥 (nìng quē wúlàn), for A1 Chinese, it's more commonly seen as part of 宁可 (nìngkě) or 宁愿 (nìngyuàn). Using it alone often carries a strong, almost proverbial tone, implying a firm, often principled, choice.
Cultural Context
重要な例文 (8)
He would rather not sleep than not finish watching this show.
彼はこのドラマを最後まで見るためなら、寝なくたっていいと思っています。
究極の選択：「〜するくらいなら、むしろ〜する」ヒントとコツ (4)
主語の位置
「不如」の意味を覚えよう！
不如 ({bùrú}) はもともと「〜に及ばない」という意味。つまり「後ろに来るものの方が勝っている」ということなんです！これを覚えれば、どっちが良い選択肢か迷いません。 «与其在家，不如出门。»こなれ感アップ！
順番がとっても大事！
重要な語彙 (7)
Real-World Preview
Deciding on Dinner
Review Summary
- 即使 (Condition), 也 (Outcome)
- 与其 (Option A), 不如 (Option B)
- 宁可 (Choice A), 也不 (Choice B)
よくある間違い
In Chinese, 即使(jíshǐ) must be paired with 也(yě) to correctly express 'still'. Using 还是(háishì) is a common mistake for English speakers.
Learners often flip the options. The structure is 'Rather than [Bad Option], better to [Good Option]'.
宁可(nìngkě) usually implies a choice between two things. Without the '也不' (yě bù) part, the sentence feels incomplete.
このチャプターのルール (6)
Next Steps
You've just gained the power to express complex thoughts and firm decisions. This is a massive leap toward fluency. Keep practicing these choices!
Write 3 'Even If' sentences about your learning journey.
Roleplay a restaurant order with a friend using 'Rather than'.
クイック練習 (10)
正しい文を選んでください：
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ～するよりは～するほうがいい ({与其|yǔqí}...{不如|bùrú})
「カンニングするくらいなら、不合格の方がマシだ」という意味の文はどれ？
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 究極の選択：「〜するくらいなら、むしろ〜する」
Find and fix the mistake:
{不如|bùrú} {看|kàn} {映画|diànyǐng}，{与其|yǔqí} {在|zài} {家|jiā} {看書|kànshū}。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ～するよりは～するほうがいい ({与其|yǔqí}...{不如|bùrú})
Find and fix the mistake:
我宁愿喝咖啡，也不喝茶。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 道を選ぶ：〜するよりはむしろ〜したい (宁 nìng)
Find and fix the mistake:
与其多花钱买好的，不如买便宜又坏的。
与其 の後に置きましょう。frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: より良い選択肢を選ぶ：AよりBがいい (与其...不如...)
我 ___ 走路，也不坐公交车。 (バスに乗るくらいなら、歩いた方がいい。)
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 究極の選択：「〜するくらいなら、むしろ〜する」
「パーティーに行くより、家にいたい」を正しく表現しているのは：
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 道を選ぶ：〜するよりはむしろ〜したい (宁 nìng)
他宁可不吃饭，___要玩游戏。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 道を選ぶ：〜するよりはむしろ〜したい (宁 nìng)
{我宁可吃药，也不要生病。|Wǒ nìngkě chīyào, yěbù yào shēngbìng.}
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 究極の選択：「〜するくらいなら、むしろ〜する」
{与其|yǔqí} {走路|zǒulù}，___ {騎車|qíchē}。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: ～するよりは～するほうがいい ({与其|yǔqí}...{不如|bùrú})
Score: /10
よくある質問 (6)
不如 ({bùrú}) の後ろに来るのが常に「勝ち」の選択肢です。 «与其等他，不如先走。»
