Structure
むしろ + (Preferred Choice) Phrase
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Rare Kanji
寧ろ
About むしろ
When a speaker is making a determination about something in Japanese, the adverb むしろ is often used to express a more accurate depiction of what has already been said. This is regularly translated as 'rather', or 'instead'.
むしろ will mostly appear at the beginning of new sentences, or the beginning of a second clause within a sentence, before information about (A) will be clarified.
As むしろ seeks to give a more accurate description about something, it will often be paired with grammar patterns such as より, to show where the comparison is being made.
Fun Fact
むしろ comes from the kanji 寧ろ, literally meaning 'preferable'. This is the same kanji that appears in the word 丁寧, meaning 'polite' (sometimes also translated as 'careful'). The grammar structure むしろ itself may even be translated as 'preferably', simply expressing that careful consideration has been given to describing something accurately.
- むしろ、そっちに謝ってほしいよ。Preferably, I want you to apologize. (Rather than me, it would be better if you apologized)
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むしろ、先生に聞いてみた方がいいんじゃない？Preferably, wouldn't it be better to ask the teacher? (The teacher will give a much more preferable answer than me)
Synonyms
というより
...is more of a... than a..., Rather than saying that...
Not studied yet
割に
Although, Despite, Rather...for, Unexpectedly, Comparatively, Considering
Not studied yet
それとも
Or, Or else, Rather
Not studied yet
逆に
On the contrary
Not studied yet
に反して
Go against, Contrary to
Not studied yet
代わりに
Instead of, In place of, In exchange for
Not studied yet
却って
All the more, On the contrary, Conversely
Not studied yet
Examples
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彼よりも寧ろあなたに来てほしい。
I'd rather you come than him.
僕はコーヒーより寧ろ紅茶が飲みたい。
I want to drink tea rather than the coffee.
明日より寧ろ今日行きたいんですが、駄目ですか？
I want to go today rather than tomorrow. Is that OK?
韓国に行くより寧ろ日本に行きたい。
Rather than going to Korea, I'd go to Japan.
事態は寧ろ好転してきたように思える。
Rather, I think that the situation is changing for the better.
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Advanced Adverbs
Imabi
Using むしろ to show contrast
Learn Japanese Daily
Offline
A Handbook of Japanese Grammar Patterns
Page 609
A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar
Page 295
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 116
Quartet II
Page 12
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むしろ – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (4 in total)
s1212z
無口 is a ‘na’ adjective. If i had to guess, I think this is the noun くらい (位) for ranking or standing (in this case, ‘kind/grade’ of person)
I think you are right on the second one, that sounds weird! I remember thinking the same thing when I came across it.
I believe this is the ないと grammar point whi...
eefara
Of course! That makes so much more sense, haha. I didn’t even think to check to see if 無口 could act as a な-adj.
Thehipeey
On the last example text of the grammer point, is the double より intended?
“俺はMMOよりよりむしろシングルプレイヤーのゲームの方が好きだ”
Apologies if this is the incorrect place to ask.
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