與其|与其[yu3 qi2] A 不如[bu4 ru2] B (rather than A, better to B)
HSK 6, unknown, 11 strokes, rank #25452, Hard
与其
yǔqí
A 不如[bù rú] B (rather than A, better to B)
HSK 6, c, 11 strokes, rank #25452, Hard
yǔqí(yu3qi2) T3
1rather than...
2與其
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
与其(與其)yǔqí(yu3qi2)
与其 (yǔ qí) is a conjunction used to express a preference for one option over another, often translated as 'rather than' in English. It is commonly used in comparative constructions to indicate that one choice is superior to another, particularly in decision-making contexts.
Strokes11Frequency#25452DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, making comparisons is a common rhetorical device in conversations, reflecting the importance placed on making wise choices and decisions in everyday life.
Memory Tip
Think of 与 (yǔ) as 'to give' and 其 (qí) as 'its'—imagine giving up something for something better. Visualize a person at a crossroads choosing a more rewarding path while saying, 'I'd rather take this road than that one.'
Meanings of 与其
yǔqí(yu3qi2)
1rather than...
2與其
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 与其
与其Simplified
與其Traditional
11Strokes
—Radical
连词连词conjunction (conj.)Part of Speech
#25452Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 与其
Podcast: 与其
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 与其
Usage Notes
A common mistake is to confuse 与其 with just '与' (yǔ), which means 'and' or 'with'. It is used more often in formal contexts, so be cautious with its use in casual conversation. Typical collocations include '与其说...不如说...' to structure comparisons effectively.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 与其 connects well with other comparative structures. Students should practice using it in sentences that compare different situations or choices to enhance fluency in expressing preferences.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use the correct structure, saying '与其 A, B' instead of '与其 A, 不如 B'. Remember to always include 不如 for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 与其
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 与其 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
与其 (yǔ qí) is a conjunction used to express a preference for one option over another, often translated as 'rather than' in English. It is commonly used in comparative constructions to indicate that one choice is superior to another, particularly in decision-making contexts.
When to use 与其
A common mistake is to confuse 与其 with just '与' (yǔ), which means 'and' or 'with'. It is used more often in formal contexts, so be cautious with its use in casual conversation. Typical collocations include '与其说...不如说...' to structure comparisons effectively.
What learners get wrong
Learners often forget to use the correct structure, saying '与其 A, B' instead of '与其 A, 不如 B'. Remember to always include 不如 for clarity.
Write 与其
与
其
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 与其 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 与其
与其 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
