Grammar Info
N1 Lesson 5: 11/17

くらいなら
would rather...than, rather than, better off

Structure
Verb[る]+ ぐらいなら(1) + Phrase

(1) くらいなら
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
  • [AくらいならB is a phrase meaning "(I) would rather B than A." It is used when the speaker considers A to be the worst case possible and prefers B, which, while still not quite satisfactory, is much better than A]
  • [Expressions like ほうがいい、ほうがましだ、ほうがよかった and なさい are prevalent in B. いっそ and むしろ can be added for emphasis]
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A:「彼(かれ)に助(たす)けを求(もと)めたらどう?」
B:「彼(かれ)に助(たす)けを求(もと)めるくらいならむしろピラニアだらけの池(いけ)を泳(およ)いだほうがましだぞ。」
A: "What about asking him for help?"
B: "I would rather swim through a pond full of piranha than ask him for help."
This construction can be used as a reaction to what the speaker finds to be a bad suggestion or advice
Play  
その仕事(しごと)は絶対(ぜったい)に嫌(いや)だ。それに戻(もど)るくらいなら死(し)んだほうがましだ。」
"I really hate that job. I would rather die than go back."
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小(ちい)さなことに目(め)くじらを立(た)てる人(ひと)一緒(いっしょ)に生活(せいかつ)するくらいならホームレスになったほうがましだ。」
"I would rather become homeless than live together with a person who nitpicks every little thing I do."
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