〜むしろ: meaning and usage

How to form it

• noun+より（も）+むしろ+noun
• clause+というより+むしろ+clause
• むしろ+sentence

How it is used

After comparing two things, says the second fits better: 'rather', 'if anything', often in 「AよりむしろB」 or 「AというよりむしろB」. 「かえって」 is for a result opposite to what was expected; 「むしろ」 is a comparative judgement.

Examples

1. 天気はよくなるどころか、むしろ悪くなってきている。

   The weather is far from getting better, if anything, it has worsened.

2. この映画は、子どもよりむしろ大人に見てほしい。

   I'd like adults, rather than children, to see this film.

3. 彼は静かというより、むしろ人と話すのが苦手なのだと思う。

   I think it's not so much that he's quiet as that he's not good at talking to people.