Strong preferences: 宁可 and 与其

Choosing the lesser evil

宁可 A 也不 B : rather A than B

宁可 (nìngkě) shows an assumed choice, even if imperfect: "I prefer A, rather than B."

宁可 A，也不 B

I'd rather walk than take such a crowded subway.

He'd rather lose out himself than bother others.

与其 (yǔqí) rejects the first option in favor of the second: "rather than A, better to B."

与其 A，不如 B

Rather than waiting at home, might as well go out and look.

Rather than complaining, better to change things.

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