rather

1 ENTRIES FOUND:

rather /ˈræðɚ/ Brit /ˈrɑːðə/ adverb

rather

/ˈræðɚ/ Brit /ˈrɑːðə/

adverb

Learner's definition of RATHER

: to some degree or extent在一定程度上；颇；相当

— often used to make a statement less forceful常用于减弱语气

a — used to introduce a statement that indicates what is true after you have said what is not true（不是…）而是

I don't like chocolate—rather, I love chocolate.我不是喜欢吃巧克力，而是爱吃巧克力。
What matters is not how often you call, but rather what you say.问题不在你打电话的频率，而是你说了什么。
It wasn't red but rather a shade of bright orange.它不是红色，而是明亮的橘黄色。

b — used to introduce a statement that corrects what you have just said更确切地说；更准确地说

We can take the car, or rather, the van.我们可以买下这辆车，更确切地说，这辆面包车。
My father, or rather, my stepfather, will be visiting soon.我的父亲，更确切地说，我的继父，不久将到这里来做客。

British, old-fashioned — used to express agreement当然，的确（表同意）

rather than

: in place of (something or someone) : instead of (something or someone)而不是

He writes at a table rather than a desk.他在饭桌上写字，而不是在书桌上写。
Why do one thing rather than another?为什么做这件事而不做另一件？
Rather than using dried herbs, he picked fresh ones from the garden.他从花园里采了一些新鲜的香草，而不用干的。

: and not不是…

— used to say what is not chosen or done because something else is chosen or done instead没有（做…）

— used to indicate what you want or prefer to do, have, etc.宁愿；更喜欢

She would rather drive than take the train.她宁愿开车去，也不想坐火车。
I would rather you didn't tell them. [=I would prefer it if you didn't tell them]最好别告诉他们。
We'd rather go somewhere warm. [=we'd prefer to go somewhere warm]我们更想到一个暖和的地方去。
“If you'd rather, we can go outside.” “No, thanks—I'd rather not.”“如果你愿意的话，我们可以到外面走走。”“不，谢谢。我不想去。”
Which beach would you rather [=would you like to] go to?你愿意去哪个海滨？