宁可…也要…
HSK 5- Conditionals
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The structure 宁可…也要… expresses a choice: willing to endure something unpleasant in order to achieve a more important goal.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Use the structure 宁可…也要… when you want to express determination: would rather accept an unfavorable condition or sacrifice (宁可 + sacrifice), than fail to achieve a more important goal (也要 + goal).
This structure emphasizes that the goal in the second clause is so important that the speaker is willing to pay the price stated in the first clause. It conveys a strong sense of resolve.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我宁可不睡觉，也要学完。繁: 我寧可不睡覺，也要學完。Wǒ nìngkě bú shuìjiào, yě yào xué wán.
I would rather not sleep than fail to finish studying.
- 他宁可被老板骂，也要说出实话。繁: 他寧可被老闆罵，也要說出實話。Tā nìngkě bèi lǎobǎn mà, yě yào shuō chū shíhuà.
He would rather be scolded by his boss than not tell the truth.
- 我们宁可加班，也要完成这个项目。繁: 我們寧可加班，也要完成這個項目。Wǒmen nìngkě jiābān, yě yào wánchéng zhège xiàngmù.
We would rather work overtime than fail to complete this project.
- 我宁可吃苦，也要和你在一起。繁: 我寧可吃苦，也要和你在一起。Wǒ nìngkě chīkǔ, yě yào hé nǐ zài yìqǐ.
I would rather endure hardship than be apart from you.
- 我宁可多花点钱，也要买个更好的。繁: 我寧可多花點錢，也要買個更好的。Wǒ nìngkě duō huā diǎn qián, yě yào mǎi ge gèng hǎo de.
I would rather spend a bit more money to buy something better.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我也要学完，宁可不睡觉。Correct:我宁可不睡觉，也要学完。
The clause with 宁可 (sacrifice) always comes before the clause with 也要 (main goal); the order cannot be reversed.
- Wrong:我宁可吃饭，也要看电影。Correct:我宁可不吃饭，也要看完这部电影。
The clause after 宁可 must express a sacrifice or undesirable consequence, not two equally favorable alternatives.