与其 yǔqí rather than...
rather than... (used in expressions of the form 与其 + {verb1} + 不如 + {verb2} "rather than {verb1}, better to {verb2}")
How to remember 与其: 与 and + 其 this or that = rather than....
Characters
How it is used
- Sets up a 'rather than X, better to Y' comparison in the fixed frame 与其 ... 不如 - 与其等待，不如行动 (yǔqí děngdài, bùrú xíngdòng) rather than wait, better to act.
- Weighs two options and rejects the first in favor of the second; formal/written flavor.
- Almost always needs its partner 不如 (or 宁可 nìngkě) in the second clause; 与其 alone is incomplete.
Example sentences
- 与其让我在他手下干，我宁愿辞职。 Yǔqí ràng wǒ zài tā shǒuxià gàn, wǒ nìngyuàn cízhí.I would rather quit than work under him.