Japanese word

むしろ

Pronunciation

Romajimushiro

Meaning

  • adverbrather

Example

私はむしろ家にいたいです。watashi wa mu shi ro ie ni i ta i de su

I would rather stay home.

Illustration for むしろ (rather)

More examples

みんなが外食したがっていましたが、私はむしろ自分で作ります。mi n na ga gai shoku shi ta ga tte i ma shi ta ga watashi wa mu shi ro ji bun de tsuku ri ma su

Everyone wanted to eat out, but I would rather cook for myself.

Core concept

Expresses a choice of one option as more suitable than another, often marking a preference or contrast.

Common phrases

  • むしろ家で食べるmu shi ro ie de ta be ru

    would rather eat at home

  • むしろ一人で行くmu shi ro hito ri de i ku

    would rather go alone

Similar words

いっそisso: Shows a preference for one clear choice when another choice is also possible.
かえってkaette: Shows that a result or choice is contrary to what might be expected.
逆にgyakuni: Marks a choice or statement that goes in the opposite direction from another.

Definition in Japanese

比較したとき、前者より後者のほうが適切だと判断する気持ちを表す。hi kaku shi ta to ki zen sha yo ri kō sha no hō ga teki setsu da to han dan su ru ki mo chi o arawa su

Word origin

The native Japanese adverb むしろ (mushiro) is traditionally written 寧ろ (mushiro, "rather"), and its older word formation is not securely established.

Usage tips

  • In English, rather can also mean "fairly," but Japanese むしろ (mushiro) usually marks preference or contrast instead.

Other meanings

  • insteadadverb
  • if anythingadverb
  • betteradverb

Word lists with this word