As you know, the way to express comparisons in Chinese is by using 比 bǐ. But in this article, we are going to talk about showing preference by making a comparison as “would rather… than…” in English. And 3 more formal ways to express comparison sentences in Chinese. would rather
Structure – showing preference
與其/与其 ⋯⋯,(S) + 不如 ⋯⋯
It indicates the speaker thinks B is so much better than A. You can also add 還/还 hái, 倒 dào, 真 zhēn before the 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
Yǔqí qù páshān, hái bùrú zàijiā kàn diànshì.
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
Yǔqí zài zhèlǐ làngfèi shíjiān, wǒmen bùrú rènzhēn xiǎngxiǎng yǒu shéme shì wǒmen néng zuò de.
Let’s think about what we can do rather than waste time here.
與其/与其 ⋯⋯ ,S + 寧可/宁可 or 寧願/宁愿 ⋯⋯
In this grammar pattern, both options are something you don’t want. But if you must make a decision, then you would prefer the second one. This is like saying “in comparison to A, I would rather B.” Both 寧可/宁可 níngkě and 寧願/宁愿 níngyuàn have the same meaning, but 寧願/宁愿 níngyuàn is slightly more common in the 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
Yǔqí zài zhèlǐ xiūbǔ bàntiān de yīfú, wǒ nìngkě qù shāngchǎng mǎi yíjiàn xīnde.
Yǔqí zài zhèlǐ xiūbǔ bàntiān de yīfu, wǒ nìngkě qù shāngchǎng mǎi yíjiàn xīnde.
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,我寧願自已一個人做這份報告
与其跟他同一组,我宁愿自己一个人做这份报告
Yǔqí gēn tā tóngyìzǔ, wǒ nìngyuàn zìjǐ yíge rén zuò zhèfèn bàogào.
I would rather do this report by myself rather than 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
Yǔqí gēn tā jiéhūn, wǒ nìngyuàn dānshēn yíbèizi.
I prefer to be single for the rest of my life rather than marry him.
與其說/与其说 + A,不如说 + B
In this pattern, both the front part and the latter part are correct. But it indicates the speaker is not satisfied with the description of the front part and prefers the latter part.
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
Yǔqí shuō tā shì zài bāng nǐ, bùrú shuō tā shì zài zhàn nǐ piányí.
Yǔqí shuō tā shì zài bāng nǐ, bùrú shuō tā shì zài zhàn nǐ piányi.
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
Yǔqí shuō tā shì wǒ bàba, bùrú shuō tā shì wǒ de rénshēng lǎoshī.
I’d rather say that he’s my life couch than my father.
Structure – formal
比起 ⋯⋯(來/来)
This one is not formal at all and it is very simple…I don’t know why it is in HSK 7-9 level.
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
Bǐ qǐ qítā rén lái, wǒ de xiǎngfǎ tài jiǎndānle.
Compared to others, my thoughts are too simple.
比起唱歌,他更喜歡跳舞
比起唱歌,他更喜欢跳舞
Bǐ qǐ chànggē, tā gèng xǐhuān tiàowǔ.
He likes dancing more than singing.
A + Adj + 於/于 + B
人的自我實現過程重於結果
人的自我实现过程重于结果
Rén de zìwǒ shíxiàn guòchéng zhòng yú jiéguǒ.
The process of human self-actualization is more important than the result.
你一定要小心,安全重於一切
你一定要小心,安全重于一切
Nǐ yídìng yào xiǎoxīn, ānquán zhòng yú yíqiè.
You must be careful. Safety is more important than anything else.
S + 比 + N + 還/还 + N
In this pattern, both nouns have to be the same. And it must be a hypothesis situation. Usually is used negatively.
你簡直比強盜還強盜
你简直比强盗还强盗
Nǐ jiǎnzhí bǐ qiángdào hái qiángdào.
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
Tā suīrán shì nánrén, dàn tā de dòngzuò bǐ nǚrén hái nǚrén.
Although he is a man, his behavior is like a woman more than a real woman.
- Basic Comparisons (HSK 1)
- Advanced Comparisons 1 跟…相比 (HSK 5)