???? What is ～くらいなら?
～くらいなら is a Japanese grammar pattern used to:
- Express a preference for one unpleasant option over a worse one
- It’s like saying “If I had to do X, I’d rather do Y”, where X is undesirable.
This grammar often appears in conversations where you want to compare two negative outcomes or express what you’d rather avoid doing.
???? Structure
| Form | Structure |
|---|---|
| Verb (dictionary form) + くらいなら | If (I have to do X), I’d rather (do Y) |
✅ It’s usually followed by a second clause expressing a better alternative.
???? Meaning in Context
Used when:
- Comparing two choices — both may be bad, but one is less bad.
- Expressing a strong dislike for the first option.
- Indicating you would choose something else if forced.
English equivalents:
- “If I had to do X, I’d rather do Y.”
- “I’d prefer Y over doing X.”
- “I would never choose X; I’d rather (alternative).”
???? Example Sentences
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| そんなことをするくらいなら、死んだほうがましだ。 | If I had to do something like that, I’d rather die. |
| 満員電車に乗るくらいなら、歩いて行くよ。 | If I have to take a packed train, I’d rather walk. |
| あんな店で食べるくらいなら、家で作るよ。 | If I have to eat at a place like that, I’d rather cook at home. |
| 彼と結婚するくらいなら、一生独身でいい。 | If I had to marry him, I’d rather stay single forever. |
| お金を借りるくらいなら、アルバイトをするよ。 | If I have to borrow money, I’d rather work a part-time job. |
???? Nuances & Tone
- Often conveys strong feelings of dislike or unwillingness.
- The second option (after なら) may not be great either — it’s just less bad.
- Conversational, frequently used in personal opinions or casual speech.
???? Comparison with Similar Expressions
| Expression | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| ～よりましだ | It’s better than… | Simple comparison |
| ～くらいなら | If I had to… I’d rather… | Emphasizes unwillingness |
| ～ほうがいい | It’s better to… | Recommendation |
Example:
満員電車に乗るよりましだ。
→ It’s better than riding a packed train.
満員電車に乗るくらいなら、歩く。
→ If I have to ride a packed train, I’d rather walk.
✅ Practice Exercise
Translate into Japanese using ～くらいなら:
- If I have to lie, I’d rather say nothing.
- If I have to live in that city, I’d rather move abroad.
- If I have to eat spicy food, I’d rather skip the meal.
Possible Answers:
- 嘘をつくくらいなら、何も言わない。
- その町に住むくらいなら、海外に引っ越す。
- 辛い物を食べるくらいなら、食事を抜く。
???? Summary Table
| Grammar | ～くらいなら |
|---|---|
| Meaning | If I have to… I’d rather… |
| Structure | [Verb dictionary form] + くらいなら |
| Nuance | Strongly unwilling, personal preference |
| Usage | Casual conversations, opinions |
???? Pro Tip:
This structure is very natural in spoken Japanese. It’s a polite, indirect way to say “I hate that idea” while still offering an alternative.
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.