宁愿

nìng yuàn

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Adverb Common

Definitions

1. would rather ... (than ...)

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item

与其

yǔ qí

rather than...

Often paired with 宁愿 in the structure 与其...宁愿...

Synonyms

1 item

宁肯

nìng kěn

would rather...

Near synonym of 宁愿, slightly more literary.

Usage notes

Collocations

Commonly used with 也不 or 也要 to state the rejected or chosen alternative.

Common mistakes

宁愿 is followed by a verb phrase, not a noun; it marks a choice between actions, not objects.

Example Sentences

1 shown

我宁愿走路，也不坐车。

I'd rather walk than take the car.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 宁愿

to hope

peaceful

would rather

宁愿