Three ways to show a preference (與其 yǔqí与其 yǔqí … 不如 bùrú不如 bùrú, 與其 yǔqí与其 yǔqí … 寧可 níngkě宁可 níngkě, 與其說 yǔqíshuō与其说 yǔqíshuō … 不如說 bùrúshuō不如说 bùrúshuō) and three more formal or vivid structures for comparing.
1Structure – Showing Preference
At HSK 7–9, you can express “would rather … than …” in English — and build comparisons in a more formal, written way. The first three patterns below show preference; the last three are more formal ways to compare.
與其 yǔqí与其 yǔqí + Option A, (S) + 不如 bùrú不如 bùrú + Option B
This structure compares two options and says one is better or more preferable than the other: “Rather than …, it’s better to ….” You can also add 還 hái还 hái, 倒 dào倒 dào or 真 zhēn真 zhēn before 不如 bùrú不如 bùrú.
與其去爬山，還不如在家看電視。与其去爬山，还不如在家看电视。
It is better to watch TV at home rather than go hiking.
與其在這裡浪費時間，我們不如認真想想有什麼是我們能做的。与其在这里浪费时间，我们不如认真想想有什么是我们能做的。
Let’s think about what we can do rather than waste time here.
與其生氣，不如想辦法解決問題。与其生气，不如想办法解决问题。
Instead of getting angry, it’s better to find a solution.
與其等著別人來幫忙，我們不如自己試著做。与其等着别人来帮忙，我们不如自己试着做。
Instead of waiting for others to help, we’d better try doing it ourselves.
Common Use Cases
✓ Making comparisons between two actions, often in terms of practicality or logic.
✓ Giving advice or suggesting a better approach to a problem.
✓ Expressing that one action is more favorable than the other without necessarily indicating personal preference.
與其 yǔqí与其 yǔqí + Option A, 寧可 níngkě宁可 nìngkě + Option B
This structure expresses a preference between two options, often when both options may not be ideal, but one is still preferable. It roughly means “rather than …, I would prefer …” or “instead of …, I would rather ….”
寧可 níngkě宁可 nìngkě and 寧願 níngyuàn宁愿 nìngyuàn share the same meaning of “would rather,” but 寧願 níngyuàn宁愿 nìngyuàn is slightly more common in spoken language.
與其在這裡修補半天的衣服，我寧可去商場買一件新的。与其在这里修补半天的衣服，我宁可去商场买一件新的。
Instead of repairing the clothes here for half a day, I would rather go to the mall and buy a new one.
與其跟他同一組，我寧願自己一個人做這份報告。与其跟他同一组，我宁愿自己一个人做这份报告。
I would rather do this report by myself than be in the same group with him.
與其跟他結婚，我寧願單身一輩子。与其跟他结婚，我宁愿单身一辈子。
I would rather be single for the rest of my life than marry him.
與其吃這些不健康的零食，寧可餓著。与其吃这些不健康的零食，宁可饿着。
Instead of eating these unhealthy snacks, I’d rather go hungry.
Common Use Cases
✓ Making decisions where neither option is ideal but one is slightly better.
✓ Expressing personal preferences in a somewhat negative or reluctant context.
與其說 yǔqíshuō与其说 yǔqíshuō + Statement A, 不如說 bùrúshuō不如说 bùrúshuō + Statement B
This structure compares two statements or interpretations and suggests that B is a more accurate or appropriate explanation than A: “Rather than saying A, it’s more accurate to say B.”
與其說他是在幫你，不如說他是在佔你便宜。与其说他是在帮你，不如说他是在占你便宜。
Instead of saying that he is helping you, it is better to say that he is taking advantage of you.
與其說他是我爸爸，不如說他是我的人生老師。与其说他是我爸爸，不如说他是我的人生老师。
I’d rather say that he’s my life coach than my father.
與其說是運氣好，不如說是他一直努力的結果。与其说是运气好，不如说是他一直努力的结果。
Rather than saying it’s good luck, it’s more accurate to say it’s the result of his consistent hard work.
與其說他失敗了，不如說他還沒找到正確的方法。与其说他失败了，不如说他还没找到正确的方法。
Rather than saying he failed, it’s better to say he hasn’t found the right method yet.
Common Use Cases
✓ Used to correct misconceptions or inaccurate interpretations.
✓ Often appears in formal or analytical contexts, such as essays, debates, or reflective discussions.
✓ Helps to emphasize the speaker’s viewpoint by presenting a more refined or logical alternative.
23 Structures for Comparison
比起 bǐqǐ比起 bǐqǐ A (來 lái来 lái), Opinion about B
B 比起 bǐqǐ比起 bǐqǐ A (來 lái来 lái) + Opinion
This structure compares two things and indicates a preference, focus or evaluation based on one being more notable than the other. It is often translated as “compared to …” or “when compared with ….”
比起其他人來，我的想法太簡單了。比起其他人来，我的想法太简单了。
Compared to others, my thoughts are too simple.
比起昨天，今天的天氣好多了。比起昨天，今天的天气好多了。
Compared to yesterday, today’s weather is much better.
比起咖啡來，我更喜歡喝茶。比起咖啡来，我更喜欢喝茶。
Compared to coffee, I prefer drinking tea.
這件衣服比起那件來，顏色更鮮豔。这件衣服比起那件来，颜色更鲜艳。
This piece of clothing, compared to that one, has a brighter color.
Common Use Cases
✓ Often used in conversational Chinese to make comparisons sound more fluid and contextual.
✓ To highlight a specific aspect that stands out in the comparison.
A + Monosyllabic Adj. + 於 yú于 yú + B
This is a formal way to make comparisons, typically seen in written language or more formal contexts. It is equivalent to “A is more [adjective] than B” in English, and the adjective is a single character.
他的收入高於我。他的收入高于我。
His income is higher than mine.
現在的溫度低於昨天。现在的温度低于昨天。
The temperature now is lower than yesterday.
新手機的性能優於舊手機。新手机的性能优于旧手机。
The new phone’s performance is better than the old one.
你一定要小心，安全重於一切。你一定要小心，安全重于一切。
You must be careful. Safety is more important than anything else.
Common Use Cases
✓ Ideal for concise, elegant expressions often found in reports, essays, or news.
S + 比 bǐ比 bǐ + N1 + 還 hái还 hái + N1
This is a vivid and often exaggerated way to compare. It emphasizes that the subject surpasses even the standard or stereotype represented by N1 in some extreme or exaggerated respect.
你簡直比強盜還強盜。你简直比强盗还强盗。
You are really like a robber, more than a real robber.
他雖然是男人，但他的動作比女人還女人。他虽然是男人，但他的动作比女人还女人。
Although he is a man, his behavior is like a woman, more than a real woman.
這孩子比大人還大人。这孩子比大人还大人。
This kid is more of an adult than an adult!
這個演員的演技比真實還真實。这个演员的演技比真实还真实。
This actor’s performance is more real than reality!
Common Use Cases
✓ Often carries a tone of exaggeration, humor, sarcasm, or criticism.
✓ Suitable for informal speech, storytelling, or creative expressions.
3Common Mistakes
Watch the second half of each preference pattern — it has to match the first half.
❌與其生氣，還是想辦法解決問題。与其生气，还是想办法解决问题。
✅與其生氣，不如想辦法解決問題。与其生气，不如想办法解决问题。
與其 yǔqí与其 yǔqí needs a matching 不如 bùrú不如 bùrú (or 寧可 níngkě宁可 níngkě / 寧願 níngyuàn宁愿 níngyuàn) in the second half. 還是 háishì还是 háishì alone doesn’t complete the pattern — although you can put 還 hái还 hái in front of 不如 bùrú不如 bùrú.
❌與其說他失敗了，不如他還沒找到方法。与其说他失败了，不如他还没找到方法。
✅與其說他失敗了，不如說他還沒找到方法。与其说他失败了，不如说他还没找到方法。
In the 與其說 yǔqíshuō与其说 yǔqíshuō pattern, the second half must be 不如說 bùrúshuō不如说 bùrúshuō — repeat 說 shuō说 shuō, because both halves are statements.
❌他的收入很高於我。他的收入很高于我。
✅他的收入高於我。他的收入高于我。
於 yú于 yú comparisons are formal and concise: use a bare single-character adjective, with no 很 hěn很 hěn in front.
❌這孩子比大人還成熟大人。这孩子比大人还成熟大人。
✅這孩子比大人還大人。这孩子比大人还大人。
In 比 bǐ比 bǐ + N + 還 hái还 hái + N, the same noun repeats on both sides of 還 hái还 hái, with no adjective in between.
4Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01Rather than complaining, we’d better start working. (rather than … better to)
與其抱怨，不如趕快動手做。与其抱怨，不如赶快动手做。
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02Instead of taking a taxi on such a jammed road, you might as well take the MRT. (with “even more”)
與其在這麼堵的路上坐計程車，還不如搭捷運。与其在这么堵的路上坐出租车，还不如搭地铁。
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03Instead of handing in an unfinished report, I’d rather stay up all night. (would rather)
與其交一份沒做完的報告，我寧可熬夜。与其交一份没做完的报告，我宁可熬夜。
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04Instead of buying poor-quality goods, I’d rather spend a little more money. (would rather, spoken)
與其買品質差的東西，我寧願多花一點錢。与其买品质差的东西，我宁愿多花一点钱。
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05Rather than saying he’s smart, it’s more accurate to say he works hard. (correcting an interpretation)
與其說他聰明，不如說他很努力。与其说他聪明，不如说他很努力。
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06Compared to the city, I prefer the peace and quiet of the countryside. (“compared to”)
比起城市來，我更喜歡鄉下的安靜。比起城市来，我更喜欢乡下的安静。
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07The number of students this year is greater than last year’s. (formal, single-character adjective)
今年的學生人數多於去年。今年的学生人数多于去年。
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08She is more of a star than a real star! (exaggeration)
她比明星還明星。她比明星还明星。
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