JLPT N1 Grammar (hou ga mashi da)

Meaning

better than; would rather ~

Level: JLPT N1

How to use

Verb (casual form)ほうがましだ
Noun + の
hou ga mashi da ほうがましだ jlpt n1 grammar meaning 文法 例文 japanese flashcards

Learn Japanese grammar: (hou ga mashi da). Meaning: better than; would rather ~. Usually preceded with a conditional verb.

This is a grammar used to give a clear superiority or inferiority to two conflicting options based on the subjective choice of the speaker.

It is often preceded with 「～より」or「～くらいなら」.

hou ga mashi da ほうがましだ jlpt n1 grammar meaning 文法 例文 learn japanese flashcards

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- Example Sentences

Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.

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Example #1

あなたとけっこんするくらいなら、どくしんのほうがましだ。
anata to kekkon suru kurai nara, dokushin no hou ga mashida.
It's better to be single than to marry you.
Example #2

ギャンブルにきんをろうひするならすてたほうがましだ。
gyanburu ni kin o rouhi suru nara suteta hou ga mashida.
I would rather throw my money away than waste it on gambling.
Example #3

とちゅうでやめるぐらいならはじめからやらないほうがましだ。
tochuu de yameru gurai nara hajime kara yaranai hou ga mashida.
If you're going to give up halfway, it's better to not start at all.
Example #4

そんなざっしをよむくらいなら、ひるねをするほうがましだよ。
sonna zasshi o yomu kurai nara, hirune o suru hou ga mashida yo.
It's better to take a nap than to read such a magazine.
Example #5

こんなてんきのなかをでかけるよりは、いえにいるほうがましだ。
konna tenki no naka o dekakeru yori wa, ie ni iru hou ga mashida.
It's better to stay at home than to go out in this weather.
Example #6

これをかれにあげるならすててしまったほうがましだ。
kore o kare ni ageru nara sutete shimatta hou ga mashida.
I'd rather throw it away than give it to him.
Example #7

こんなくるしいおもいをするくらいならしんだほうがましだ。
konna kurushii omoi o suru kurai nara shinda hou ga mashida.
I would rather die than live and suffer like this.

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