〜くらいなら
kurai nara
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
rather than (do something undesirable), I'd sooner ...
〜くらいなら means "rather than (do something that bad), I'd sooner…". The action before it is presented as so undesirable that the speaker prefers the alternative, which is often extreme: I'd rather die than apologize to him; better not to start at all than to quit halfway.
Both registers, emphatic and emotional. The verb before it is in dictionary form. The second clause typically ends in 〜ほうがましだ, 〜ほうがいい, or a strong volitional statement. It is not for neutral comparisons of preference; use より for those.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Vる + くらいなら
Visual diagram
- 彼に謝るthe hated option (Vる)
- くらいならrather than doing that…
- 死んだほうがましだpreferred alternative (often extreme)
Natural examples
途中でやめるくらいなら、最初から始めないほうがいい。
とちゅうでやめるくらいなら、さいしょからはじめないほうがいい。
If you're going to quit halfway, better not to start at all.
Paired with 〜ほうがいい.
彼に謝るくらいなら、死んだほうがましだ。
かれにあやまるくらいなら、しんだほうがましだ。
I'd rather die than apologize to him.
Paired with ほうがましだ, the strongest form.
満員電車に乗るくらいなら、歩いて行く。
まんいんでんしゃにのるくらいなら、あるいていく。
Rather than ride a packed train, I'll walk.
Volitional-style alternative (歩いて行く).
あんなまずい店で食べるくらいなら、家で自分で作る。
あんなまずいみせでたべるくらいなら、いえでじぶんでつくる。
Rather than eat at such a bad restaurant, I'll cook at home myself.
Casual, decisive.
嘘をつくくらいなら、黙っていたほうがましだ。
うそをつくくらいなら、だまっていたほうがましだ。
Better to stay silent than to lie.
ましだ = the lesser evil.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜より
Neutral comparison of preference; くらいなら carries strong distaste for the first option.
Base pattern for degree; くらいなら is a fixed conditional built on it. Compare side by side
〜ほうがましだ
The usual partner; means "is at least better (though not good)".
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 彼に謝ったくらいなら、死んだほうがましだ。
- ✓
- 彼に謝るくらいなら、死んだほうがましだ。
- Why
- The verb before くらいなら is in dictionary form.
- ✗
- コーヒーを飲むくらいなら、紅茶を飲みたい。（mild preference）
- ✓
- コーヒーより紅茶を飲みたい。
- Why
- くらいなら implies the first option is awful; a mild preference uses より.
- ✗
- 途中でやめるくらいなら、最初からやめよう。（no clear alternative）
- ✓
- 途中でやめるくらいなら、最初からやらないほうがいい。
- Why
- The second clause must present the preferred alternative clearly.
ましだ means "the lesser of two evils"; the alternative is not good, just less bad. Often used in advice: 我慢するくらいなら、はっきり言ったほうがいい. ぐらいなら is also correct.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- Vる + blank + ほうがましだ/ほうがいい → くらいなら.
- Distractors: より, としたら, ものなら. ものなら follows a potential verb (できるものなら) and means "if only one could".
- In 並べ替え, keep くらいなら and ほうがましだ as the two anchors and place the two actions around them.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜くらいなら mean?
rather than (do something undesirable), I'd sooner ... 〜くらいなら means "rather than (do something that bad), I'd sooner…". The action before it is presented as so undesirable that the speaker prefers the alternative, which is often extreme: I'd rather die than apologize to him; better not to start at all than to quit halfway.
How do you form 〜くらいなら?
Vる + くらいなら. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜くらいなら used?
Both registers, emphatic and emotional. The verb before it is in dictionary form. The second clause typically ends in 〜ほうがましだ, 〜ほうがいい, or a strong volitional statement. It is not for neutral comparisons of preference; use より for those.
What is the difference between 〜くらいなら and 〜より?
Neutral comparison of preference; くらいなら carries strong distaste for the first option.
What is the difference between 〜くらいなら and 〜くらい?
Base pattern for degree; くらいなら is a fixed conditional built on it.
What is a common mistake with 〜くらいなら?
Wrong: 彼に謝ったくらいなら、死んだほうがましだ。 Right: 彼に謝るくらいなら、死んだほうがましだ。 The verb before くらいなら is in dictionary form.
Quick check
あの人に頭を下げる（ ）、仕事を辞めたほうがましだ。