与其…不如…yǔqí... bùrú...

Structure 与其…不如… (yǔqí... bùrú...): Rather than... it is better to...

Meaning: Rather than A, it is better to B

Pattern

与其…不如… is a comparative choice structure used to express an opinion or recommendation: after weighing two options, the speaker considers option B superior to option A.
The 与其 clause introduces the rejected option (A), while the 不如 clause introduces the recommended option (B).
A and B are usually parallel verb phrases or clauses.
A common variant is 与其…宁可… ("rather than A, one would rather B").
Note that 不如 can also be used independently as a verb meaning "to not be as good as" (e.g., 我的汉语不如他 — "My Chinese is not as good as his"), so be careful to distinguish its comparative verb function from the correlative structure 与其…不如….

1
与其在家看电视，不如出去散散步。
Yǔqí zài jiā kàn diànshì, bùrú chūqù sàn sàn bù.
Rather than watching TV at home, it is better to go out for a walk.
2
与其抱怨，不如行动。
Yǔqí bàoyuàn, bùrú xíngdòng.
Rather than complaining, it is better to take action.
3
与其等他来，不如我们自己去。
Yǔqí děng tā lái, bùrú wǒmen zìjǐ qù.
Rather than waiting for him to come, it is better for us to go ourselves.

•与其 introduces the rejected option (A) and 不如 introduces the preferred option (B), carrying an advisory tone.

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

•Reversing the order of clauses A and B, which inverts the intended logic.

•Confusing this correlative structure with the standalone comparative verb 不如 ("not as good as").

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