宁可

Meaning(adverb, conjunction)

preferably; one would prefer to...(or not to...); would rather; (would) be better to; (to pick) the lesser of two evils

Patterns: 宁可 A 也不 B (would rather A than B) / 宁可 A 也要 B (even if A, still B).

Examples

• 我宁可走路，也不想挤公交车。

  wǒ nìng kě zǒu lù, yě bù xiǎng jǐ gōng jiāo chē.

  I'd rather walk than squeeze onto the bus.

• 宁可多花点钱，也要买好的。

  nìng kě duō huā diǎn qián, yě yào mǎi hǎo de.

  Better to spend a bit more and buy something good.

• 他宁可自己吃亏，也不让朋友为难。

  tā nìng kě zì jǐ chī kuī, yě bú ràng péng you wéi nán.

  He'd rather lose out himself than put a friend in a difficult position.

Written with AI, waiting for a teacher's review.