lebih baik ... daripada
Preference with Lebih Baik
lebih baik [A] daripada [B]
Meaning: "[A] is better than [B]" or "It is better to [A] than to [B]."
How It Works
The construction consists of three parts:
1. Lebih: The comparative marker meaning "more."
2. Baik: The adjective meaning "good."
3. Daripada: The comparative preposition meaning "than."
Usage Scenarios:
- Comparing Nouns: Used to state that one object or person is of higher quality.
Example: Buku ini lebih baik daripada buku itu. (This book is better than that book.) - Comparing Actions (Verbs): Used to suggest a better course of action.
Example: Lebih baik pergi sekarang daripada terlambat. (It is better to go now than to be late.) - Comparing Situations (Clauses): Used to evaluate two different scenarios.
Register Note:
In formal writing and speech, daripada is the standard choice. In casual conversation, Indonesians often shorten this to just dari or use the word mendingan instead of lebih baik.
Examples (4)
- Lebih baik mencegah daripada mengobati.
It is better to prevent than to cure.
Word by Word: More good prevent than treat.
This is a famous Indonesian proverb using the pattern to compare two verbs (mencegah and mengobati).
- Kualitas HP ini lebih baik daripada HP lama saya.
The quality of this cellphone is better than my old cellphone.
Word by Word: Quality cellphone this more good than cellphone old I.
Here, the pattern compares the quality of two nouns (HP ini and HP lama saya).
- Lebih baik kita jujur daripada dia tahu dari orang lain.
It is better that we are honest than he finds out from others.
Word by Word: More good we honest than he know from person other.
This example compares two full clauses to express the most advisable situation.
- Mobil itu jauh lebih baik daripada mobil ini.
That car is much better than this car.
Word by Word: Car that far more good than car this.
The word 'jauh' (far) is added before 'lebih baik' to mean 'much better'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'dari' instead of 'daripada' in formal writing.
Buku ini lebih baik dari buku itu.Buku ini lebih baik daripada buku itu.In formal writing, daripada is the preferred preposition for comparisons. Dari is very common in speech and also appears in writing, so treat it as less formal rather than impossible.
Confusing 'lebih baik' (better) with 'lebih suka' (prefer).
Saya lebih baik kopi daripada teh.Saya lebih suka kopi daripada teh.'Lebih baik' refers to quality or advisability, whereas 'lebih suka' refers to personal taste or liking.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To express preference using 'lebih baik ... daripada', you first need to understand the basic comparative structure in Indonesian. This involves using 'lebih' (more) with an adjective and 'daripada' (than) to introduce the alternative being compared. Since 'baik' means 'good', 'lebih baik' literally means 'better'.
Related Patterns
- lebih ... daripadaComparative with Lebih
This is the general comparative pattern for all adjectives; 'lebih baik ... daripada' is a specific application of it.
Level 2 - sebaiknyaAdvice with Sebaiknya
An adverb meaning 'should' or 'it would be best if,' often used for advice without an explicit 'than' comparison.
Level 3 - suka + Noun/VerbLiking with Suka
Lebih suka reports liking; lebih baik evaluates quality or advisability, which can itself reflect the speaker’s judgment.
Level 1 - kurang ... daripadaLower Degree with Kurang
The opposite of 'lebih', used to say something is 'less ... than'.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice lebih baik ... daripada in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Indonesian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
