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〜くらいなら

rather than (do that), I'd sooner

Verb dictionary form + くらいなら / ぐらいなら

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くらいなら rejects an option as so bad that anything else would be better: あんな人と結婚するくらいなら、一生独身でいい, "I'd rather stay single forever than marry someone like that".

The first half is the unacceptable option; the second is the preferred alternative, often with ほうがいい, ほうがましだ, or a simple decision.

It's common in advice: 途中でやめるくらいなら、最初からやらないほうがいい, "if you're going to quit halfway, you'd better not start at all".

くらいなら and ぐらいなら are interchangeable. The くらい here downgrades the first option ("something as bad as that"), and なら makes it a condition.

Examples

  • あんな人ひと結婚とけっこんするくらいなら、一生独身いっしょうどくしんでいい。

    I'd rather stay single forever than marry someone like that.

  • 途中とちゅうでやめるくらいなら、最初さいしょからやらないほうがいい。

    If you're going to quit halfway, you'd better not start at all.

  • 人ひとに頼たのむくらいなら、自分じぶんでやる。

    I'd rather do it myself than ask someone.

  • 満員電車まんいんでんしゃに乗のるぐらいなら、歩あるいて行いく。

    I'd rather walk than get on a packed train.

  • 後悔こうかいするくらいなら、今いまやってみよう。

    Rather than live with regrets, let's give it a try now.

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