宁可 (nìngkě) is used where the speaker wants to compare two unfavorable options, and choose a "unfavorable option" over a "most unfavorable option."

Using 宁可 with 也不

Structure

This construction puts 宁可 at the beginning of the sentence followed by 也不. 宁可 is followed by unfavorable option and 也不 is followed by most unfavorable option.

Again, the speaker is choosing between two options, but this time places the preferable option first.

Examples

我宁可没有男朋友，也不要随便找一个男朋友。I'd rather have no boyfriend than find a random one.
他宁可输，也不想放弃。He'd rather lose than give up.
我宁可在公司加班，也不想把工作带回家。I'd rather work late in the office than take my work home.
他宁可每天吃方便面，也不找父母要钱。He'd rather eat instant noodles every day than ask his parents for money.
我宁可把这些东西送给陌生人，也不会扔掉。I'd rather give these old things to strange people than throw it away.

Using 宁可 with 也要

In this construction 宁可 is used a little differently. 宁可 is followed by unfavorable actions while 也要 is followed by things that you desire or something that you intend to achieve.

Structure

Here the speaker must pay a price in order to complete or gain something, a bit like "even though X, I'm still willing to do Y."

Examples

我宁可几天不睡觉，也要完成这个项目。I would be willing not to sleep for a few days just to finish this project.
他们宁可花光所有钱，也要治好女儿的病。They would spend all my money to cure their daughter's disease.
我们宁可多花点钱，也要解决这个问题。We'd rather spend some more money to solve this problem.

Using 宁可 with 也不

Structure

Examples

Using 宁可 with 也要

Structure

Examples

Using 宁可 with 与其

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books