thà rằng

Thà rằng đi bộ còn hơn bị kẹt xe.

Definition

1. Conjunction:
   • Rather than / Would rather that: Expresses a strong preference for one option over another, often implying the chosen option is less bad or more acceptable. It introduces the speaker's preferred choice in a comparison, typically followed by a contrasting idea with "còn hơn" (is better than).

Usage Examples

• Conjunction:
  • Thà rằng im lặng còn hơn nói sai. (I would rather be silent than speak incorrectly.)
  • Thà rằng chúng ta thử và thất bại còn hơn không thử gì cả. (We would rather try and fail than not try at all.)
  • Thà rằng đi bộ còn hơn ngồi đợi xe buýt mãi. (I'd rather walk than wait for the bus forever.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to present a hypothetical or counterfactual preference, often when both options are somewhat undesirable, but one is deemed more favorable.
  • Thà rằng anh ấy nói sự thật ngay từ đầu. (If only he had told the truth from the beginning. / I wish he had told the truth from the start.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thà (conj): A shorter, more common form with the same meaning as "thà rằng."
  • Thà chết vinh còn hơn sống nhục. (Better to die with honor than live in disgrace.)

Synonyms

• Would rather: Prefers one specific alternative.
• Better to: Indicates the wiser or more preferable course of action.

Related Idioms

• Thà rằng ăn nửa quả hồng, Còn hơn ăn cả chùm sung chát lè (ca dao): (I would rather eat half a persimmon, Than eat a whole bunch of bitter figs.) This folk verse encapsulates the meaning: it's better to have a little of something good than a lot of something bad.