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宁愿

nìng yuàn

HSK 7–9

Meaning

  • would rather ... (than ...)

Definition

表示选择或比较时,愿意选取前者而舍弃后者。

Would rather; prefer to.

Usage

宁愿用于表达在两种或多种选择中,主观上更愿意接受前者,即使前者可能带来不利后果。常与‘也不’连用,构成‘宁愿...也不...’结构。

Used to express a subjective preference for one option over another, even if the preferred option may have negative consequences. Often used with '也不' to form 'would rather... than...' structure.

Examples

  • 1 我宁愿步行去上班,也不愿挤公交车。(I would rather walk to work than take the crowded bus.)
  • 2 她宁愿自己辛苦一点,也不愿麻烦别人。(She would rather work harder herself than bother others.)
  • 3 他宁愿放弃高薪,也要追求自己的梦想。(He would rather give up a high salary to pursue his dream.)
  • 4 我们宁愿提前完成任务,也不愿拖到最后。(We would rather complete the task early than procrastinate until the last minute.)
  • 5 宁愿相信世上有好人,也不愿对人性绝望。(I would rather believe there are good people in the world than despair of human nature.)
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