宁肯

nìng kěn

HSK 2.0 Level 6 Rare

Definitions

1. would rather...
2. it would be better...
3. would prefer

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Word relationships

Counterparts

1 item

与其

yǔ qí

rather than...

Used together: 与其...宁肯... (rather than... would rather...)

Synonyms

2 items

宁愿

nìng yuàn

would rather ... (than ...)

Both express a preference, but 宁肯 is more common in written or formal contexts.

宁可

nìng kě

preferably

Almost identical, 宁可 is slightly more formal.

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Don't use 宁肯 alone to mean 'would rather' without a following verb phrase or a paired 与其/也不 structure.

Formality

宁肯 is more formal than 宁愿 and often appears in written or decisive statements.

Example Sentences

1 shown

我宁肯走路，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 宁肯

to agree; to consent

peaceful

would rather

宁肯