〜くらいなら: meaning and usage

How to form it

• verb (dictionary form)+くらいなら/ぐらいなら

How it is used

'Rather than A, B': A is something the speaker strongly dislikes, and B is often 「〜ほうがましだ」, 「〜ほうがいい」 or advice. It carries real distaste; for a neutral comparison, use 「〜より〜ほうがいい」.

Examples

1. 納豆を食べるくらいなら、草を食べた方がマシだ。

   I'd rather eat grass than eat natto.

2. あんなに込んだ電車に乗るくらいなら、一時間歩いたほうがましだ。

   I'd rather walk for an hour than ride such a packed train.

3. 途中でやめるくらいなら、最初から引き受けないでください。

   If you're going to give up halfway, please don't take it on in the first place.