寧願...都...

Would Rather

Level 4Sounds Like ning4 jyun6 . . . dou1 . . .

Use 寧願 (ning4 jyun6) ... 都 (dou1) ... to say 'would rather [A] than [B]'. It emphasizes that you are willing to endure a cost or sacrifice (A) just to avoid something even less desirable (B).

How It Works

The 寧願...都... (ning4 jyun6... dou1..., often pronounced ning4 jyun2... dou1... in colloquial speech) pattern is the standard way in colloquial Cantonese to express a preference made under pressure or involving a trade-off. Note that 情願 (cing4 jyun6 / cing4 jyun2) is a highly common synonym for 寧願 and can be used interchangeably in this pattern, while 寧可 (ning4 ho2) is another alternative that leans slightly more formal or written.

1. The Nuance of Sacrifice
Unlike simple preferences, this pattern usually involves a 'lesser of two evils' scenario. The first part (Option A) is the choice you make, which often involves a cost (like walking in the rain or losing sleep), while the second part (Option B) is typically the outcome you are determined to avoid.

2. The Role of 都 (dou1)
In Cantonese, 都 (dou1) is typically used to link the two clauses. It reinforces the resolve of the choice, emphasizing that the speaker persists in their preference despite the sacrifice or difficulty involved. While the sentence is technically understandable without it, including it is key to sounding natural.

3. Positive and Negative Outcomes
While the second part of the sentence often uses 唔 (m4) or 唔想 (m4 soeng2) to state what you avoid (forming the explicit negative formula 寧願...都唔...), it can also be positive. Using 都要 (dou1 jiu3) or 一定要 (jat1 ding6 jiu3) expresses that you are willing to endure the cost in the first part specifically to ensure the goal in the second part happens.

4. Register and Alternatives
This pairing with 都 is very common in natural spoken Cantonese. Note that while Mandarin typically pairs this structure with 也 (yě), Cantonese naturally pairs it with 都 (dou1). A very common casual alternative in Hong Kong is the 寧願 A 好過 (hou2 gwo3) B structure. These two are also frequently combined to form 寧願 A 都好過 B, which is highly natural. In very formal contexts, you might see 與其...不如..., but be careful: in that formal pattern, the order of the choices is reversed (the avoided choice comes first, followed by the preferred choice).

Examples (4)

  1. 我寧願行路都唔想搭嗰班巴士。

    I'd rather walk than take that bus.

    Word by Word: I rather walk road even not want ride that [classifier] bus.

    Here, walking (行路 haang4 lou6) is the sacrifice the speaker is willing to make to avoid the bus.

  2. 佢寧願唔瞓覺都一定要做完份功課。

    He would rather not sleep just to finish his homework.

    Word by Word: He rather not sleep even definitely must do finish [classifier] homework.

    The cost is sleep deprivation (唔瞓覺 m4 fan3 gaau3), chosen to ensure the homework is finished.

  3. 我寧願淋雨都唔想同佢一齊擔一把遮。

    I'd rather get soaked in the rain than share an umbrella with him.

    Word by Word: I rather soak rain even not want with him together carry one [classifier] umbrella.

    This shows a strong emotional preference; getting wet (淋雨 lam4 jyu5) is better than the alternative.

  4. 佢寧願畀人鬧都唔肯講大話。

    He would rather be scolded than tell a lie.

    Word by Word: He rather [passive marker] person scold even not willing speak big talk.

    Uses 畀人 (bei2 jan4) to show he'd accept being scolded to avoid lying.

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting '都' (dou1) in natural conversation.

    Different Meaning我寧願行路唔搭車。
    我寧願行路都唔搭車。

    While not strictly ungrammatical, omitting 都 (dou1) makes the sentence sound less natural and less emphatic. In spoken Cantonese, '都' is highly recommended to reinforce the resolve of your choice.

  • Placing the subject after '寧願' (ning4 jyun6).

    寧願我行路都唔搭車。
    我寧願行路都唔搭車。

    In Cantonese, the subject should precede 寧願 (ning4 jyun6) to establish who is making the choice.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

寧願...都...Level 4Would Rather

Learn This First

To understand '寧願...都...', you need to be familiar with the particle '都' (also/even) which links the preferred action to the consequence or cost. It also helps to understand basic clause linking in Cantonese.

Words in This Pattern

宁愿