むしろ
Say the opposite or alternative is more accurate
You’ll be able to reject an expected comparison and present another option as preferable or closer to the truth.
道を間違えたことで、むしろ素敵な景色に出会えました。
michi o machigaeta koto de, mushiro suteki na keshiki ni deaemashita.
What do you think this sentence means?
Because we took the wrong road, we actually got to encounter a lovely scenic view instead.
Present an alternative as closer to the truth
むしろ means "rather", "on the contrary", or "if anything". It asserts that an unexpected alternative or outcome is actually more positive or true than what was expected.
私は夏より、むしろ冬が好きです。
watashi wa natsu yori, mushiro fuyu ga suki desu.
If anything, I prefer winter to summer.
雨で涼しくなって、むしろ良かった。
ame de suzushiku natte, mushiro yokatta.
The rain made it cooler, so if anything, it was a good thing.
Use むしろ to favor an alternative perspective
Use むしろ before the statement or quality you want to emphasize as more accurate or preferable. It frequently appears alongside ～より (rather than...).
一人で悩むより、誰かに相談した方がむしろ早く解決するよ。
hitori de nayamu yori, dareka ni soudan shita hou ga mushiro hayaku kaiketsu suru yo.
Rather than worrying alone, consulting someone will actually resolve it faster.
かえって vs むしろ
Both go against what you would expect. かえって is for an action that backfires. むしろ compares two things and says B is truer or better, so it can also state a preference.
かえって, it backfired
薬を飲んだら、かえって悪くなった。
kusuri o nondara, kaette waruku natta.
I took medicine, and it actually made things worse.
The action caused the opposite result.
むしろ, rather; if anything
薬を飲むより、むしろ寝た方が早く治る。
kusuri o nomu yori, mushiro neta hou ga hayaku naoru.
Rather than taking medicine, you'll actually get better faster by sleeping.
Picks B over A as the better choice.
高いホテルよりむしろ、小さな旅館のほうが落ち着ける。
takai hoteru yori mushiro, chiisa na ryokan no hou ga ochitsukeru.
Rather than an expensive hotel, I actually feel more relaxed at a small inn.
休みの日に家で寝ているより、むしろ少し体を動かしたほうが疲れが取れる。
yasumi no hi ni ie de nete iru yori, mushiro sukoshi karada o ugokashita hou ga tsukare ga toreru.
Rather than sleeping at home on your day off, moving your body a little actually helps you recover better.
彼は冷たい人だと言われるが、むしろ誰よりも優しい人だ。
kare wa tsumetai hito da to iwareru ga, mushiro dare yori mo yasashii hito da.
People say he’s cold, but if anything, he’s kinder than anyone.
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