rather

rather
adverb

(would rather)used to indicate one's preference in a particular matter
宁可，宁愿；最好
would you like some wine or would you rather stick to sherry?.
你想喝葡萄酒还是宁肯坚持喝雪利酒？。
she'd rather die than cause a scene.
她宁可死也不愿意当众大吵大闹。
[with clause]I'd rather you didn't tell him.
我宁愿你不要告诉他。
‘You'd better ask her. ’‘I'd rather not.’.
“你最好问她。”“我宁愿不。”。
[as submodifier]to a certain or significant extent or degree
相当，颇
she's been behaving rather strangely.
她一直行为古怪得很。
he's rather an unpleasant man.
他是个颇为令人讨厌的人。
■used before verbs as a way of making the expression of a feeling or opinion less assertive
［用以使表达的语气婉转］有几分，有点儿
I rather think he wants me to marry him.
我倒认为他想让我嫁给他。
we were rather hoping you might do that for us.
我们倒是希望你可以为我们做那事。
on the contrary (used to suggest that the opposite of what has just been implied or stated is the case)
恰恰相反（用来表示相反的情况）
[sentence adverb]There is no shortage of basic skills in the workplace. Rather, the problem is poor management.
工场缺乏的并不是基本技术，相反，问题在于管理不善。
■more precisely (used to modify or clarify something previously stated)
［用于修正或补充上文］更确切些
I walked, or rather limped, the two miles home.
我步行，确切点说，是一瘸一拐地走了两英里才回到家。
■instead of; as opposed to
而不是
she seemed indifferent rather than angry.
她好像是冷淡而不是愤怒。

exclamation

(Brit. dated)used to express emphatic affirmation, agreement, or acceptance
(英，旧)［用以表示肯定、同意或赞同］当然，的确
‘You are glad to be home, aren't you? ’‘Rather!’.
“回到家里很高兴，对吗？”“那当然。”。

常用词组
had rather

(poetic/literary or archaic)would rather
(诗/文或古)宁可，宁愿；最好是
I had rather not see him.
我最好不见他。

rather you (或 him, her等) than me

used to convey that one would be reluctant oneself to undertake a particular task or project undertaken by someone else
（用以表示自己不愿承担他人的任务或工程）那是你（或他、她）的事
‘I'm picking him up after lunch. ’‘Rather you than me.’.
“我午饭后接他。”“那是你的事。”。

语源

Old English hrathor 'earlier, sooner', comparative of hræthe without delay, from hræth 'prompt' (see rathe)

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