Rather...Than (宁可...也不)
宁可...也不
The pattern 宁可...也不... (nìngkě...yě bù...) means "would rather...than..." and expresses a strong preference, choosing one option even if it involves hardship, rather than accepting an undesirable alternative.
Pattern
宁可 + Action A，也不 + Action B
Explanation
宁可...也不... is a powerful expression of strong preference or determination. The speaker chooses option A (even if unpleasant) over option B (which is considered worse). It conveys resolve and emphasizes that the rejected option is so unacceptable that the speaker will endure hardship to avoid it.
The pattern works as: 宁可 + less ideal option A + 也不 + unacceptable option B. Both options should be actions or states, and the structure implies A is difficult or costly but still preferable to B.
Variations include 宁愿...也不... (nìngyuàn, slightly softer, more about willingness) and 宁可...也要... (nìngkě...yě yào..., "would rather...and will definitely..." — emphasizing determination to do something rather than avoid something).
Examples
我宁可走路去，也不坐他的车。
Wǒ nìngkě zǒulù qù, yě bú zuò tā de chē.
I would rather walk than ride in his car.
她宁可一个人吃饭，也不跟不喜欢的人一起。
Tā nìngkě yí gè rén chīfàn, yě bù gēn bù xǐhuan de rén yìqǐ.
She would rather eat alone than be with people she doesn't like.
他宁可不睡觉，也不放弃比赛。
Tā nìngkě bú shuìjiào, yě bù fàngqì bǐsài.
He would rather not sleep than give up the competition.
我宁可少赚钱，也不做不喜欢的工作。
Wǒ nìngkě shǎo zhuànqián, yě bú zuò bù xǐhuan de gōngzuò.
I would rather earn less money than do a job I don't like.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
我宁可也不走路坐他的车。
Correct
我宁可走路，也不坐他的车。
宁可 must be followed by the preferred (though difficult) option first, then 也不 introduces the rejected option.
Wrong
我宁可坐他的车也不走路。
Correct
我宁可走路，也不坐他的车。
The option after 宁可 should be the harder/less ideal choice that the speaker still prefers. The structure emphasizes willingness to endure difficulty.
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