KoreaTOPIKCenter
Lv 4Grammar expressionSeen on past TOPIK papersIntermediate · TOPIK II

-느니 차라리

rather than ~, I'd rather...

Attaches to a verb stem to reject one option as undesirable and prefer another, stronger alternative introduced by 차라리 'rather'; the alternative is worth choosing even if extreme.

Examples

  • 이렇게 기다리느니 차라리 걸어가는 게 낫겠다.

    Rather than waiting like this, it'd be better to just walk.

  • 그 사람과 다투느니 차라리 내가 참고 말겠다.

    Rather than fighting with that person, I'd rather just hold my tongue.

  • 맛없는 음식을 먹느니 차라리 굶는 게 낫다.

    Rather than eating bad food, it's better to just go hungry.

Examples written by Korea TOPIK Center.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-느니 차라리’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “rather than ~, I'd rather...”?