rather /ˈræðɚ/ Brit /ˈrɑːðə/ adverb /ˈræðɚ/ Brit /ˈrɑːðə/
adverb
Learner's definition of RATHER
1
: to some degree or extent在一定程度上；颇；相当 -
Yesterday was a rather [=fairly] hot day.昨天天气相当热。
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That sounded rather [=quite a bit] like thunder.那个声音听起来很像雷声。
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a rather [=quite] common flower十分常见的花
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It's getting rather [=pretty] late. We'd better get to bed.太晚了。我们该睡觉了。
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The movie is a comedy, but rather a dull one.这部影片是个喜剧，但相当无聊。
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a rather [=somewhat] serious condition有些严重的情况
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I think the children watch rather too much television.我觉得孩子们看电视有点太多了。
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It rather annoyed me that he was late picking me up.他来接我时迟到了，真让人不快。
—
often used to make a statement less forceful常用于减弱语气 -
He has been spending rather a lot of money lately.他近来花钱有点儿多。
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She rather likes chocolate.她挺喜欢吃巧克力。
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To tell you the truth, I rather think you are wrong.说实话，我倒有点儿觉得是你不对。
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You're driving rather fast, don't you think?你车开得有点儿快，你不觉得吗？
2
a —
used to introduce a statement that indicates what is true after you have said what is not true（不是…）而是 -
I don't like chocolate—rather, I love chocolate.我不是喜欢吃巧克力，而是爱吃巧克力。
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What matters is not how often you call, but rather what you say.问题不在你打电话的频率，而是你说了什么。
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It wasn't red but rather a shade of bright orange.它不是红色，而是明亮的橘黄色。
b —
used to introduce a statement that corrects what you have just said更确切地说；更准确地说 -
We can take the car, or rather, the van.我们可以买下这辆车，更确切地说，这辆面包车。
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My father, or rather, my stepfather, will be visiting soon.我的父亲，更确切地说，我的继父，不久将到这里来做客。
3
British, old-fashioned —
used to express agreement当然，的确（表同意）
rather than
1
: in place of (something or someone) : instead of (something or someone)而不是 -
He writes at a table rather than a desk.他在饭桌上写字，而不是在书桌上写。
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Why do one thing rather than another?为什么做这件事而不做另一件？
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Rather than using dried herbs, he picked fresh ones from the garden.他从花园里采了一些新鲜的香草，而不用干的。
: and not不是… 2
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used to say what is not chosen or done because something else is chosen or done instead没有（做…） -
Rather than continue the argument, she walked away.她没有继续争辩，而是走开了。
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I chose to sing rather than play an instrument.我没有演奏乐器，而是唱了首歌。
would rather
—
used to indicate what you want or prefer to do, have, etc.宁愿；更喜欢 -
She would rather drive than take the train.她宁愿开车去，也不想坐火车。
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I would rather you didn't tell them. [=I would prefer it if you didn't tell them]最好别告诉他们。
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We'd rather go somewhere warm. [=we'd prefer to go somewhere warm]我们更想到一个暖和的地方去。
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“If you'd rather, we can go outside.” “No, thanks—I'd rather not.”“如果你愿意的话，我们可以到外面走走。”“不，谢谢。我不想去。”
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Which beach would you rather [=would you like to] go to?你愿意去哪个海滨？