ratherBrE /ˈrɑːðə(r)/ NAmE /ˈræðər/► SEE ALLrather thanrather you, etc. than mewould rather… (than)be a bit/rather steep ●rather thaninstead of sb/sth而不是◆I think I’ll have a cold drink rather than coffee. 我想要杯冷饮，不要咖啡。◆Why didn’t you ask for help, rather than trying to do it on your own? 你为什么不请别人帮忙，非要自己一个人干呢？●rather you, etc. than ˈme ( sooner you, etc. than ˈme) (especially BrE) used for saying that you are pleased that you do not have to do a difficult or unpleasant thing幸亏不是我（表示不想做别人要去做的事）◆‘She works every weekend.’ ‘Rather her than me.’ “她每周末都要工作。”“幸亏我不用。”●would rather… (than)would prefer to宁愿；更愿意…◆She’d rather die than give a speech. 她宁愿死也不肯发言。◆‘Do you want to come with us?’ ‘No, I’d rather not.’ “你想跟我们一块儿来吗？”“我不想去。”◆Would you rather walk or go by car? 你想走路还是开车？◆‘Do you mind if I smoke?’ ‘I’d rather you didn’t.’ “你介意我抽烟吗？”“嗯，最好别抽。”●be a bit/rather ˈsteep (informal) (of a price or a request价格或要求) be too much; be unreasonable过分；过高；不合理◆€6? That seems a bit steep for a small piece of cheese.6 欧元？才这么一小片干酪，似乎贵了点吧。◆It’s a bit steep to expect us to work longer hours for no extra money.指望我们延长工作时间又不给加班费，这可太不合理了。