The Chinese phrase "宁可...也..." (nìngkě... yě...)

 The Chinese phrase "宁可...也..." (nìngkě... yě...) is used to express a strong preference or choice between two often unfavorable or difficult options. It conveys the meaning of "would rather A than B," or "even if A, still B."

There are two main patterns with "宁可...也...", depending on whether the second option is something you explicitly don't want to do, or something you are willing to do despite a cost.

1. 宁可 A，也不 B (Nìngkě A, yě bù B) - "Would rather A than B"

This is the most common usage. It indicates that you prefer option A (which might itself be undesirable) over option B (which is even more undesirable or unacceptable).

• Structure:

  宁可 + [less undesirable option A] + ，也 + 不 / 不要 / 不愿 + [more undesirable option B]

• Meaning: "Would rather [A] than [B]", "I'd prefer [A], and definitely not [B]."

• Examples:

  • 我宁可走路，也不坐他的车。

    (Wǒ nìngkě zǒulù, yě bù zuò tā de chē.)

    I'd rather walk than ride in his car. (Walking might be inconvenient, but riding in his car is even less desirable.)

  • 他宁可输，也不放弃。

    (Tā nìngkě shū, yě bù fàngqì.)

    He'd rather lose than give up. (Losing is undesirable, but giving up is completely unacceptable.)

  • 我宁可没有男朋友，也不要随便找一个。

    (Wǒ nìngkě méiyǒu nánpéngyǒu, yě bù yào suíbiàn zhǎo yī ge.)

    I'd rather not have a boyfriend than casually find one. (Having no boyfriend might be a pity, but a random one is worse.)

  • 宁可迟到，也不要错过这个机会。

    (Nìngkě chídào, yě bù yào cuòguò zhège jīhuì.)

    I'd rather be late than miss this opportunity.

2. 宁可 A，也要 B (Nìngkě A, yě yào B) - "Even if A, still want/will B" / "Would rather A just to B"

This usage emphasizes that you are willing to accept a certain cost or undesirable consequence (A) in order to achieve or do something you strongly desire (B). Here, "A" is the "price" you're willing to pay, and "B" is your strong desire/goal.

• Structure:

  宁可 + [cost/undesirable consequence A] + ，也 + 要 / 会 / 得 + [desired action/outcome B]

• Meaning: "Even if [A], I'm still willing to [B]", "I'd rather [A] just to [B]."

• Examples:

  • 我宁可熬夜，也要把作业做完。

    (Wǒ nìngkě áoyè, yě yào bǎ zuòyè zuò wán.)

    I'd rather stay up late (the cost) just to finish my homework (the desired outcome).

  • 他宁可和女朋友分手，也要留在国外。

    (Tā nìngkě hé nǚpéngyǒu fēnshǒu, yě yào liú zài guówài.)

    He'd rather break up with his girlfriend (the cost) just to stay abroad (the desired outcome).

  • 宁可辛苦点，也要完成任务。

    (Nìngkě xīnkǔ diǎn, yě yào wánchéng rènwu.)

    Even if it's a bit tough (the cost), I still want to complete the task (the desired outcome).

  • 宁可被骂，也要看电视。

    (Nìngkě bèi mà, yě yào kàn diànshì.)

    I'd be willing to be scolded (the cost) just to watch TV (the desired outcome).

Key Differences Summarized:

• 宁可 A，也不 B: Choosing the less bad of two undesirable options. (A is preferred over B)
• 宁可 A，也要 B: Accepting a bad outcome A in order to achieve a desired outcome B. (B is strongly desired despite A)

When using "宁可...也...", remember that both options (A and B) typically involve some degree of negativity or difficulty, but the speaker is making a clear choice or expressing a strong determination.