～くらいなら・～ぐらいなら
Rather than do that, another option is better
You’ll be able to reject an undesirable option by saying you would prefer an alternative instead.
お腹が空いたと文句を言うくらいなら、自分で肉を焼いてみなさい。
onaka ga suita to monku o iu kurai nara, jibun de niku o yaite minasai.
What do you think this sentence means?
Rather than complain that you are hungry, try grilling the meat yourself.
Reject an option in favor of a preferred alternative
～くらいなら (or ～ぐらいなら) attaches to a verb in dictionary form to reject an unwelcome situation, stating that doing another option is preferable or better.
途中でやめるくらいなら、最初からやらないほうがいい。
tochuu de yameru kurai nara, saisho kara yaranai hou ga ii.
Rather than quit halfway, it is better not to start at all.
あの人に頼むぐらいなら、自分でやります。
ano hito ni tanomu gurai nara, jibun de yarimasu.
Rather than ask that person, I will do it myself.
Attach くらいなら to a dictionary form verb
Attach くらいなら or ぐらいなら directly to the dictionary form of a verb. The following clause introduces what the speaker would rather do or suggests a better action.
満員電車に乗るくらいなら、歩いて通勤したほうがいい。
man'in densha ni noru kurai nara, aruite tsuukin shita hou ga ii.
Rather than ride a packed train, it’s better to commute on foot.
あんなに高いホテルに泊まるくらいなら、友だちの家のソファで寝るよ。
anna ni takai hoteru ni tomaru kurai nara, tomodachi no ie no sofa de neru yo.
Rather than stay at such an expensive hotel, I’ll sleep on my friend’s sofa.
嘘をつくぐらいなら、本当のことを言って怒られたほうがいい。
uso o tsuku gurai nara, hontou no koto o itte okorareta hou ga ii.
I’d rather tell the truth and get scolded than lie.
「飲めないお酒を無理して飲むくらいなら、ウーロン茶にしたら？」
“nomenai osake o muri shite nomu kurai nara, uuroncha ni shitara?”
“Rather than force yourself to drink alcohol you can’t handle, why not have oolong tea?”
7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.