-느니
Rather than
-느니 is used to compare two undesirable actions, expressing that the second option is a better choice than the first. It's like saying, "I'd rather do B than do A."
How It Works
The -느니 pattern is a strong comparative expression used specifically when choosing between two negative or difficult alternatives. It implies that the first option is so bad that the second option, while perhaps not ideal, is much more preferable.
How to use:
It attaches directly to the stem of an action verb.
- Verb stem ending in a vowel (e.g., 가다): 가 + 느니 → 가느니
- Verb stem ending in a consonant (e.g., 먹다): 먹 + 느니 → 먹느니
- Verb stem ending in ㄹ (e.g., 살다): the ㄹ drops before -느니 (which begins with ㄴ). 살 + 느니 → 사느니 (만들다 → 만드느니, 알다 → 아느니)
Common Structures:
- A-느니 (차라리) B-는 게 낫다: Rather than doing A, it's better to do B.
- A-느니 (차라리) B-겠다: Rather than doing A, I would do B.
Comparison with other patterns:
- -느니 vs. -보다: -보다 is a general comparative particle for 'than'. -느니 is specifically for comparing two undesirable actions. For example, '커피보다 주스가 좋다' (I like juice more than coffee) is a simple preference. You wouldn't use -느니 here.
- -느니 vs. -ㄹ 바에야: These two are very similar and often interchangeable. Both are used to choose the lesser of two evils. -ㄹ 바에야 can feel slightly stronger in emphasizing the undesirability of the first option.
Examples (4)
- 매일 야근하느니 차라리 회사를 그만두겠어요.
Rather than work overtime every day, I'd rather quit the company.
Word by Word: Every day work overtime-rather than rather company quit-will.
This sentence compares two negative situations: working overtime every day and quitting. The speaker considers quitting to be the better option of the two.
- 이렇게 기다리느니 그냥 집에 가는 게 낫겠어.
Rather than wait like this, it would be better to just go home.
Word by Word: Like this wait-rather than just home go-thing better-will be.
- 그 사람과 결혼하느니 평생 혼자 살겠어요.
Rather than marry that person, I'd live alone my whole life.
Word by Word: That person with marry-rather than for a lifetime alone live-will.
This is a very strong statement implying that marrying 'that person' is an extremely undesirable option.
- 맛없는 음식을 먹느니 굶는 게 나아요.
It's better to starve than to eat food that tastes bad.
Word by Word: Tasteless food eat-rather than starve-thing is better.
Common Mistakes
Using -느니 for simple preferences between two good options.
Different Meaning커피를 마시느니 주스를 마실래요.Better커피보다는 주스를 마실래요.-느니 is used for choosing the 'lesser of two evils'. For a simple preference like choosing between coffee and juice, it's more natural to use the comparative particle -보다.
Attaching -느니 to adjectives (descriptive verbs).
Not Quite방이 좁느니 차라리 비싼 게 나아요.Better방이 좁을 바에야 차라리 비싼 게 나아요.-느니 can only be attached to action verb stems. For adjectives like 좁다 (to be narrow), you can use the similar pattern -ㄹ 바에야.
Learn This First
To express preference 'rather than', you need verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -(으)ㄹ 바에야Rather than, If Going to
A very close synonym to -느니. Both are used to mean 'rather than' when choosing between two undesirable options and are often interchangeable.
- -보다More than
The basic comparative particle for 'than'. It's important to contrast -느니 with -보다 to understand that -느니 is not for general comparisons but specifically for choosing between two bad options.
- -는다기보다는Rather than Saying
A more general 'rather than' expression. Unlike -느니, -는다기보다는 can be used for simple preferences between neutral or positive options, not just negative ones. It means 'rather than saying that...'