宁肯

nìng kěn

HSK 2.0 Level 6 Rare

Definitions

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

Word relationships

Counterparts

1 item

• 与其 yǔ qí 与其 yǔ qí rather than... Used together: 与其...宁肯... (rather than... would rather...): rather than...

Synonyms

2 items

• 宁愿 nìng yuàn 宁愿 nìng yuàn would rather ... (than ...) Both express a preference, but 宁肯 is more common in written or formal contexts.: would rather ... (than ...)
• 宁可 nìng kě 宁可 nìng kě preferably Almost identical, 宁可 is slightly more formal.: preferably

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

• 肯 肯 kěn: to agree; to consent
• 宁 宁 níng: peaceful
• 宁 宁 nìng: would rather