宁可 nìngkě preferably
preferably; one would prefer to...(or not to...); would rather; (would) be better to; (to pick) the lesser of two evils
怎么记住“宁可”: 宁 calm + 可 may = preferably.
汉字
用法
- 'Would rather' - states the lesser of two evils - 宁可站着死，不愿跪着生 (nìngkě zhànzhe sǐ, bú yuàn guìzhe shēng) rather die standing than live kneeling.
- Note 宁 is read nìng here. Often paired with 也不 (yě bù): 宁可…也不… 'would rather…than…'.
- Near 宁愿 (nìngyuàn); 宁可 slightly emphasizes accepting a downside to avoid a worse one.