~むしろ
mushiro
Rather; instead; if anything
Formation 接続
Full formation notes
Aより、むしろB; むしろ + clause
Explanation 説明
Chooses a more accurate, preferable or unexpected description over another possibility. It can correct an initial impression as well as compare two alternatives.
Examples 例文
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自由な考え方が必要とされる仕事は、大人よりむしろ小さい子供の方が得意かもしれません。
Young children may actually be better than adults at work that requires free thinking.
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遅くまで残業するより、むしろ早く帰ってしっかり頭と体を休めたほうが、効率がいい。
Rather than working overtime until late, it is more efficient to go home early and rest your mind and body properly.
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観光客向けの商品より、むしろ地元の人がよく買う物の方が、お土産にはお勧めです。
For souvenirs, I recommend things local people often buy rather than products aimed at tourists.
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次の部長には、みんなが薦めるAさんより、むしろBさんのほうが適任じゃないかな。
Wouldn't B be more suitable as the next department head than A, whom everyone recommends?
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いつも行くお店が閉しまっていて、残念だった。でも、近くのお店でセールをしていたので、むしろラッキーだったかもしれない。
I was disappointed that my usual shop was closed. But a nearby shop was having a sale, so perhaps it was actually lucky.
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彼はいつも優しくない人だから、急に優しくなるとうれしいというより、むしろこわい。
He is not usually kind, so when he suddenly becomes kind, I feel scared rather than happy.
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私は人見知りで、直接会うより、むしろSkypeや電話で話したほうが上手にしゃべれます。
I am shy, so I speak more easily on Skype or the phone than when meeting people in person.
How related patterns differ 比較
とても~ない emphasizes inability, unlike affirmative とても meaning very. むしろ favors a more fitting alternative, and こそ emphasizes the exact referent. なんて~だろう expresses an exclamation; 不思議ではない judges an event as understandable.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ~むしろ | Rather; instead; if anything | 自由な考え方が必要とされる仕事は、大人よりむしろ小さい子供の方が得意かもしれません。 Young children may actually be better than adults at work that requires free thinking. |
| 〜とても〜ない | Cannot possibly do; be quite unable to do something. | この量の仕事は、今日中にはとても終えられない。 I cannot possibly finish this amount of work today. |
| ~かえって | Contrary to expectations; instead; rather | 早く寝ようとしたのに、かえって目がさえてしまいました。 I tried to go to bed early, but ended up feeling more awake. |
| ~こそ | Precisely; it is this that; because of this very reason | 人は失敗してこそ成長するものだ。 It is precisely through failure that people grow. |
| ~というより | Rather than; more accurately described as | 彼は静かというより、少し緊張しているようです。 He seems a little nervous rather than simply quiet. |
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