GRAMMAR
〜くらいなら
rather than (if it means X, better Y)
Explanation
NOTE
〜くらいなら means rather than — if it means doing X, you would prefer Y instead.
謝るくらいなら、最初からやらない方がいい。
Rather than apologizing, it is better not to do it from the start.
NOTE
X is something the speaker strongly dislikes. The pattern stresses that even an extreme Y is preferable.
彼に頼むくらいなら、自分でやる。
Rather than asking him, I will do it myself.
Y is often introduced with 方がいい or expresses a firm decision.
NOTE
Attach くらいなら to a verb in dictionary form. The form ぐらいなら is also acceptable.
STRUCTURE
V辞
くらいなら嘘をつくくらいなら、正直に言ったほうがいい。
Uso o tsuku kurai nara, shoujiki ni itta hou ga ii.
Rather than lying, it's better to be honest.
そんな会社で働くくらいなら、辞めたほうがいい。
Sonna kaisha de hataraku kurai nara, yameta hou ga ii.
Rather than working at such a company, it's better to quit.
一人で我慢するくらいなら、誰かに相談してほしい。
Hitori de gaman suru kurai nara, dareka ni soudan shite hoshii.
Rather than bearing it alone, I want you to consult someone.
行列に並ぶくらいなら、家で食べる。
Gyouretsu ni narabu kurai nara, ie de taberu.
Rather than standing in line, I will eat at home.
負けるくらいなら、試合に出たくない。
Makeru kurai nara, shiai ni detakunai.
Rather than losing, I do not want to enter the match.
捨てるくらいなら、友達にあげる。
Suteru kurai nara, tomodachi ni ageru.
Rather than throwing it away, I will give it to a friend.
Practice exercises
1
後悔するくらいなら、今挑戦しよう。
Rather than regretting it, let us try now.
Answer
くらいなら
2
人に笑われるくらいなら、挑戦しない方がましだ。
Rather than being laughed at, it is better not to try.
Answer
くらいなら
3
嘘をつくくらいなら、黙っている方がいい。
Rather than telling a lie, it is better to stay silent.
Answer
くらいなら
4
あんな安い服を買う位なら、何も買わないほうがましだ。
Rather than buying such cheap clothes, it's better to buy nothing.
Answer
位なら
5
あの人に頼むくらいなら、自分でやる。
Rather than asking that person, I'd do it myself.
Answer
くらいなら
6
そんな会社で働くくらいなら、辞めたほうがいい。
Rather than working at such a company, it's better to quit.
Answer
くらいなら
7
あんな安い服を買うくらいなら、何も買わないほうがましだ。
Rather than buying such cheap clothes, it's better to buy nothing.
Answer
くらいなら
8
一人で我慢するくらいなら、誰かに相談してほしい。
Rather than bearing it alone, I want you to consult someone.
Answer
くらいなら
9
あんな条件を飲むくらいなら、交渉を打ち切ったほうがましだ。
Rather than accepting such conditions, it would be better to break off negotiations.
Answer
くらいなら