yǔqí dài liǎng gè bēibāo, bùrú zhǐ dài yí gè.

与其……不如…… is a very common pattern meaning:

• rather than...
• instead of...
• it would be better to...

So:

• 与其带两个背包，不如只带一个。

means something like:

• Rather than carry two backpacks, it’s better to carry only one.
• Instead of bringing two backpacks, just bring one.

The structure is:

• 与其 + option A, 不如 + option B

It compares two choices and says option B is better.

In Mandarin, 两 is usually used before a measure word or a noun when you mean two in counting.

So you say:

• 两个背包 = two backpacks
• 两个人 = two people
• 两本书 = two books

Using 二个 is usually unnatural in normal speech.

A simple rule:

• use 两 before measure words and nouns
• use 二 more in numbers, math, phone numbers, addresses, and formal numbering

Examples:

• 两个 = two of something
• 二十 = twenty
• 第二 = second
• 二加二等于四 = two plus two equals four

So 两个背包 is the natural choice.

个 is a measure word (also called a classifier).

In Mandarin, when a number comes before a noun, you usually need a measure word between them.

So:

• 两 个 背包
• 一 个 背包

Literally, it is something like:

• two + classifier + backpacks
• one + classifier + backpack

个 is the most common general measure word. It is often used when there is no special classifier being used.

So:

• 两个背包 = two backpacks
• 一个背包 = one backpack

Without 个, the sentence would sound ungrammatical.

This is because of a pronunciation change called tone sandhi.

The word 一 is normally first tone: yī.
But its tone often changes depending on the word after it.

Before a fourth-tone syllable, 一 becomes second tone: yí.

Here:

• 个 is fourth tone: gè
• so 一 个 is pronounced yí gè

Common pattern:

• 一
  • 4th tone → yí
• 一
  • non-4th tone → often yì
• when counting or saying the number by itself → usually yī

Examples:

• 一个 → yí gè
• 一天 → yì tiān
• 第一 → yī stays as part of the number/word pattern

So in this sentence, 一 is pronounced yí because it comes before 个.

只 here means only or just.

So:

• 只带一个 = only bring/carry one

It limits the quantity to one.

Compare:

• 带一个背包 = bring one backpack
• 只带一个背包 = bring only one backpack

So 只 adds the idea that one is enough and not more than one.

Because the sentence is comparing two actions, and each part needs its own verb.

Structure:

• 与其带两个背包
• 不如只带一个

Both sides describe an action:

• option A: 带两个背包 = carry two backpacks
• option B: 带一个 = carry one

In English, we sometimes avoid repeating the verb:

• Rather than carry two backpacks, just one is better

But in Mandarin, repeating the verb here is very natural and clear.

带 can mean several related things depending on context, including:

• bring
• take
• carry

In this sentence, all of these are possible English translations depending on the situation.

• If you are talking about packing for a trip, take may sound best.
• If you are talking about what to have with you, bring or carry may sound better.

So:

• 与其带两个背包，不如只带一个。

could be translated as:

• Rather than take two backpacks, just take one.
• Instead of bringing two backpacks, it’s better to bring only one.
• Rather than carrying two backpacks, carry only one.

The exact English choice depends on context.

Because in Mandarin, once the noun is already clear, it is often omitted the second time.

So:

• 与其带两个背包，不如只带一个。

literally ends with only bring one, but everyone understands it means one backpack.

This is very natural in Chinese.

You could say the full form:

• 与其带两个背包，不如只带一个背包。

That is grammatically fine, but it sounds a bit more repetitive.
The shorter version is more natural when the noun is already obvious.

Mandarin often leaves out the subject when it is obvious from context.

So this sentence could mean:

• You should bring only one.
• We should bring only one.
• One should bring only one.

The speaker does not need to say the subject if the situation already makes it clear.

This is very common in Chinese. English usually needs a subject, but Chinese often does not.

The comma helps show the two-part structure:

• 与其……
• 不如……

So it separates:

• the less preferred option
• the better option

It makes the sentence easier to read:

• 与其带两个背包，不如只带一个。

In speech, there is usually a slight pause there too.
The comma is not changing the grammar itself, but it clearly marks the comparison.

It is very close, but not always exactly the same.

与其……不如…… often does more than just compare two things. It usually suggests that the second choice is better or more sensible.

So it often has a slightly advisory feeling:

• Instead of doing A, it would be better to do B.

That is why in this sentence, it feels like advice:

• Rather than taking two backpacks, it’s better to take only one.

So rather than is a good translation, but remember that the Chinese pattern often strongly favors the second option.

Yes. Mandarin has several natural ways to express a similar idea.

For example:

• 带一个就够了。 = Bringing one is enough.
• 不要带两个背包，带一个就行。 = Don’t bring two backpacks; one is fine.
• 两个背包太多了，带一个就好。 = Two backpacks are too many; one is better.

But if you specifically want the rather than A, better B structure, then:

• 与其带两个背包，不如只带一个。

is a very good and natural sentence.