宁可

nìng kě

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Adverb Uncommon

Definitions

1. preferably
2. one would prefer to...(or not to...)
3. would rather
4. (would) be better to
5. (to pick) the lesser of two evils

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Word relationships

Counterparts

1 item

与其

yǔ qí

rather than...

often used with 宁可 in 与其...宁可... structure meaning 'rather than...would rather...'

Synonyms

2 items

宁愿

nìng yuàn

would rather ... (than ...)

used interchangeably with 宁可 in most contexts to express 'would rather'

宁肯

nìng kěn

would rather...

similar to 宁可 but slightly more literary, also means 'would rather'

Usage notes

Common mistakes

宁可 is often used in the structure 宁可...也不... (would rather...than...), and the second clause must contain a negative.

Grammar

Guides that feature 宁可

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2 guides

HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min

与其……，宁可/宁愿…… for “Rather Than …, I’d Rather …”

Reject one option and firmly choose another with 与其……，宁可……, as in 与其在家里干等，我宁可出去找找.

Reading: nìng kě Open guide

HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 7 min

Preference with 宁可...也不

Use 宁可...也不 to express committed preference in advanced Chinese.

Reading: nìng kě Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown

我宁可走路，也不坐公共汽车。

I would rather walk than take the bus.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 宁可

can

peaceful

would rather

宁可