Learn Hardcore Chinese: nìngkě

宁可nìngkěnìngkě

would rather

From Lesson 35:Going on a bicycle ride with friends·Hardcore Chinese

Usages of nìngkě

我wǒ　宁可nìngkě　走路zǒulù，　也yě　不bù　逆行nìxíng。wǒ nìngkě zǒulù, yě bù nìxíng.

I would rather walk than ride against traffic.

我wǒ　宁可nìngkě　去qù　修车xiūchē，　也yě　不bù　继续jìxù　骑行qíxíng。wǒ nìngkě qù xiūchē, yě bù jìxù qíxíng.

I would rather get the bicycle repaired than continue cycling.

我们wǒmen　宁可nìngkě　慢màn　一点儿yìdiǎnr，　也yě　不bù　逆行nìxíng。wǒmen nìngkě màn yìdiǎnr, yě bù nìxíng.

We would rather go slowly than ride against traffic.

她tā　宁可nìngkě　减速jiǎnsù，　也yě　不bù　并排bìngpái　骑行qíxíng。tā nìngkě jiǎnsù, yě bù bìngpái qíxíng.

She would rather slow down than cycle side by side.

我wǒ　宁可nìngkě　给gěi　轮胎lúntāi　打气dǎqì，　也yě　不bù　继续jìxù　骑行qíxíng。wǒ nìngkě gěi lúntāi dǎqì, yě bù jìxù qíxíng.

I would rather pump up the tyre than continue cycling.

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Mandarin Chinese has four main tones plus a neutral tone. The same syllable can mean completely different things depending on the tone — for example, "mā" (mother), "má" (hemp), "mǎ" (horse), and "mà" (scold). Mastering tones is essential for being understood.

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