与其…不如… yǔqí… bùrú…

与其…不如…（yǔqí… bùrú…）means “rather than… better to…”. "与其…不如…" compares two options and states that the second (after "不如") is preferable to the first (after "与其"). Formation: 与其 + 选项A，不如 + 选项B（更优）

rather than… better to…

HSK5

Formation

与其 + 选项A，不如 + 选项B（更优）

Explanation

"与其…不如…" compares two options and states that the second (after "不如") is preferable to the first (after "与其"). It expresses a considered choice: "rather than do A, it's better to do B". Often "还不如" strengthens the preference.

Examples

与其 在这儿等着，不如 我们走过去。
yǔqí zài zhèr děngzhe, bùrú wǒmen zǒu guòqu.
Rather than waiting here, we'd better walk over.
与其 求别人，不如 靠自己。
yǔqí qiú biéren, bùrú kào zìjǐ.
Rather than begging others, it's better to rely on yourself.

Note

The preferred option comes after "不如", not "与其".

FAQ

与其…不如… — what does it mean and how is it used?

rather than… better to…. "与其…不如…" compares two options and states that the second (after "不如") is preferable to the first (after "与其"). It expresses a considered choice: "rather than do A, it's better to do B". Often "还不如" strengthens the preference.

与其…不如… — how do you form it?

与其 + 选项A，不如 + 选项B（更优）

与其…不如… — any usage notes?

The preferred option comes after "不如", not "与其".

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