むしろ
むしろ
adverb
rather, instead
1.
rather, instead
Indicating preference of one option over another.
むしろ嬉しい。
I'm rather happy (about it).
むしろ歩いたほうがいい。
It's better to walk instead.
暑いよりむしろ寒いほうが好きだ。
I prefer cold weather rather than hot weather.
彼はむしろ喜んでいるようだった。
He seemed rather pleased about it.
無理に続けるよりむしろやめたほうがいい。
Rather than forcing yourself to continue, it's better to stop.
むしろ is used to indicate preference or to suggest an alternative that is more appropriate or accurate than what was previously stated.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- AよりむしろB: B rather than A
- むしろ〜ほうがいい: it's better to... instead
- むしろ〜くらいだ: if anything, ...
USAGE:
Often used to correct or refine a previous statement, or to express that the opposite of what might be expected is true.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 却って: on the contrary (emphasizes unexpected result)
- 逆に: conversely (focuses on reversal)
- どちらかといえば: if anything, rather