宁可⋯⋯也要/也不⋯⋯ (would rather)
含义
The pattern 宁可⋯⋯也要/也不⋯⋯ (nìngkě...yě yào/yě bù...) expresses a strong, resolute preference, meaning 'would rather accept [hardship A] and still insist on [doing B]' or 'would rather [do A] than [do B].' It conveys firm determination and emotional resolve.
This construction expresses a willingness to accept a sacrifice or hardship in order to achieve a desired goal (也要) or avoid an undesirable outcome (也不). The emotional weight is heavier than 与其⋯⋯不如⋯⋯, which presents a rational preference — 宁可 signals principled or emotionally driven determination. 宁可 can be interchanged with 宁愿 in most contexts, though 宁可 sounds slightly more formal and resolute. When paired with 也要, the emphasis is on insisting on doing something despite the cost; when paired with 也不, the emphasis is on firmly refusing to do something. The pattern is common in expressing personal principles, moral stances, and strong convictions.
例句
- 她宁可每天多走半小时的路，也不愿意挤地铁。
- 我宁可自己吃点亏，也要把这件事办好。
- 他宁可放弃高薪的工作，也不愿意离开家乡。
用法指南
语境: spoken, written
语气: resolute
正确说法
- 他宁可一个人默默承受，也不愿意向别人诉苦。
- 宁可早到半小时在门口等着，也不要迟到让大家等你。
- 她宁可节省日常开支，也要供孩子上好学校。
- 我宁可多问几遍确认清楚，也不想因为误解而犯错。
错误说法
- 我宁可去北京。 (宁可 requires a contrasting clause with 也要 or 也不 — it cannot stand alone as a simple preference without the second half) → 我宁可坐火车慢一点，也不想坐飞机。
- 他宁可也不吃饭也要去运动。 (The pattern uses either 宁可⋯⋯也要⋯⋯ or 宁可⋯⋯也不⋯⋯ — mixing both 也不 and 也要 in one sentence creates a contradictory structure) → 他宁可不吃饭，也要去运动。
- 宁可我不去，也要让他去。 (The subject should appear before 宁可 — placing it between 宁可 and the verb is ungrammatical) → 我宁可自己不去，也要让他去。
起源与历史
宁可 derives from classical Chinese where 宁 (nìng) meant 'would rather' and 可 added a sense of permissibility. The compound 宁可 has been used since ancient times to express resolute choices, often in moral or philosophical discourse.
文化背景
世代: All ages
社会背景: Universal
相关短语
闪卡、测验、音频发音和间隔重复