くらいなら / ぐらいなら | Grammar

Structure

[verb (dictionary form)] + くらいなら/ぐらいなら

Description

くらいなら means "rather than": the first clause names something you find so bad that even the choice in the second clause is better. It follows a verb in the dictionary form. ぐらいなら is the same thing.

、。

I'd rather die than apologise to that person.

、。

Better to say nothing than to lie.

、。

I'll walk rather than take a taxi.

The second clause gives the better choice, usually with ほうがいい or ほうがましだ ("is still better"), or as a plain statement of what you will do.

くらいなら or より

compares two things evenly. くらいなら rejects the first one: "if it comes to that, I'd sooner…". The alternative is often something you wouldn't want either.

。

The train is faster than the bus.

、。

I'd rather eat nothing than eat food this bad.

Advice to someone else

Aimed at the listener, くらいなら turns into blunt advice or a rebuke.

、。

If you're going to complain, do it yourself.

、きごう？

If you're going to do it grudgingly, wouldn't it be better to stop?

Examples

、。

I'd rather be a part-timer than work at a company like that.

、。

I'd rather cycle to work than ride a packed train.

、。

I'd rather do everything myself than ask him for help.

、。

If I was going to feel this embarrassed, I shouldn't have participated in the first place.

、。

Rather than do it half-heartedly, it's better not to do it at all.

、。

I'd rather not make it at all than use cheap materials.

、きごう？

If you're going to do it reluctantly, wouldn't it be better to just quit?

、。

Rather than say something that awful, I wish they hadn't said anything at all.

、。

Rather than go into debt to buy it, it's better to give up.

、。

Rather than force a smile, it's easier to just cry.

、。

If you're going to complain, do it yourself.

、。

I'd rather sleep at home than watch that movie again.

References

ぐらいならBunpro