宁可 (nìng kě) — would rather; to prefer (the lesser of two evils)
Definition
宁可 marks a deliberate, often reluctant preference — picking the lesser evil. Unlike the near-synonym 宁愿, 宁可 is typically followed by 也 / 还是 to contrast two unwelcome options; 情愿 focuses more on willingness at a cost.
adverb
would ratherto prefer (the lesser of two evils)
Examples
- 宁可，。nìng kě Shǎo shuì yí huì r, yě yào bǎ gōng zuò zuò wán.I would rather sleep a little less and still finish my work.
- 宁可，。Tā nìng kě zì jǐ chī kuī, yě bú ràng bié rén shòu wěi qu.She would rather suffer a loss herself than let others be wronged.
- 宁可，。Wǒ nìng kě duō huā diǎn qián, yě yào mǎi zhì liàng hǎo de.I would rather spend more money and buy good quality.
Grammar
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