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与其 (yǔ qí) — (conjunction) rather than; used in the pattern 与其 A 不如/宁可 B to express choosing B over A

Definition

与其 (yǔ qí) is the first half of the fixed pattern 与其 A 不如/宁可 B — 'rather than A, it's better/rather B'. It always sets up a comparison that the second clause will overturn.

conjunction
rather thanused in the pattern 与其 A 不如/宁可 B to express choosing B over A

Examples

  • 与其，。
    yǔ qí Làng fèi shí jiān wán yóu xì, bù rú chū qù yùn dòng.
    Rather than waste time playing games, it's better to go out and exercise.
  • 与其，。
    yǔ qí Mǎi nà me guì de dōng xī, wǒ nìng kě cún qián lǚ xíng.
    Rather than buy such expensive things, I'd rather save money for travel.
  • 与其，。
    yǔ qí Xiàn zài hòu huǐ, bù rú dāng chū duō nǔ lì.
    Rather than regret it now, it's better to have worked harder in the first place.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 與; 与 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 與 is built from 舁 and 牙, and both parts give the sound.

Open 与 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The modern form 其 comes from an early drawing of a basket, with a stand added underneath.

Open 其 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 5

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