1. to some degree or extent; fairly
相當；頗；有點
It's rather cold today, so you should wear a coat.
今天相當冷，你應該穿件外套。
She was rather surprised by the news.
她對這個消息感到頗為驚訝。
The movie was rather long, but I enjoyed it.
這部電影有點長，但我很喜歡。
Rather Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
rather
adverb
快速理解
What does "Rather" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Rather"?
「rather」主要用於表達程度、偏好或作為語氣轉折。
- 1
相當；頗
EN: It's rather cold today.
翻譯: 今天相當冷。
- 2
寧願；更喜歡
EN: I'd rather stay home.
翻譯: 我寧願待在家裡。
- 3
更確切地說；不如說
EN: He's not lazy, rather he's very careful.
翻譯: 他不是懶惰，更確切地說，他是非常謹慎。
- 4
有點；稍微（用於緩和語氣）
EN: That seems rather a lot of money.
翻譯: 那筆錢似乎有點太多了。
小提醒：注意「would rather」後面接動詞原形，表示偏好，例如「I would rather go」（我寧願去）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Rather" in English）
How to pronounce "Rather" in English?"Rather" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Rather" from YouTube Videos
South Korea would accept Trump-Kim deal to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme | BBC News
BBC News
“It comes as South Korea's president Lie Jay Mung has told the BBC that he'd accept a deal with North Korea under which Pyongyang would freeze nuclear weapon production for now, rather than get rid of them altogether.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Rather"?How does "Rather" change by context?
2. used to express a preference; more willingly
寧可；寧願
I'd rather stay home than go to the party.
我寧可待在家裡，也不想去參加派對。
Would you rather have tea or coffee?
你比較想喝茶還是咖啡？
He said he would rather not discuss the matter.
他說他寧願不討論這件事。
3. used to correct or be more precise about something
更確切地說；不如說
He's not lazy; rather, he's just very careful.
他不是懶惰，更確切地說，他只是非常謹慎。
The problem isn't a lack of time, but rather a lack of planning.
問題不是時間不夠，而是缺乏規劃。
It wasn't a good decision, or rather, it was a terrible one.
那不是一個好決定，或者說，是個糟糕的決定。
4. used for emphasis, especially with surprising or undesirable qualities
（用於強調，尤指令人驚訝或不快的特質）真；還真是
That's rather a lot of money to spend on a meal.
花那麼多錢吃一頓飯還真是不少。
It's rather odd that he hasn't called yet.
他還沒打電話來，真是奇怪。
She's rather clever, isn't she?
她還真是聰明，不是嗎？
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Rather"?How to make natural sentences with "Rather"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| rather + adjective/adverb | 相當；頗為 | The movie was rather long. (這部電影相當長。) |
| rather + a lot | 相當多；非常多 | She eats rather a lot of chocolate. (她吃了相當多的巧克力。) |
| would rather + bare infinitive | 寧願；寧可 | I would rather stay home tonight. (我今晚寧願待在家裡。) |
| would rather + subject + past tense | 寧願某人做某事（表達偏好或願望） | I'd rather you didn't smoke in here. (我寧願你不要在這裡抽菸。) |
| or rather | 或者更確切地說；應該說 | He works in finance, or rather, investment banking. (他在金融業工作，或者更確切地說，是投資銀行。) |
| rather than + noun/gerund | 而不是 | I prefer tea rather than coffee. (我喜歡茶而不是咖啡。) |
| rather you/me/him/her/them | 更願意是你/我/他/她/他們（常用於回應） | "Who should ask the boss?" "Rather you than me!" (「誰該去問老闆？」「你去比我去好！」) |
用法說明
How is "Rather" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Rather"?
would rather do vs would rather to do
- would rather do 是唯一正確的結構。
would rather之後直接接動詞原形，不加to。 - would rather to do 是常見的錯誤。
would rather不是不定詞的標記，因此不能接to + V。 - 這個結構用來表達偏好或選擇，語氣比
prefer更直接、更口語化。 EN: I would rather stay home tonight. 翻譯: 我今晚寧願待在家裡。
EN:She would rather read a book.
翻譯:她寧願看書。
總結建議
使用 would rather 時，切記其後直接加動詞原形，絕不可加上 to。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Rather" and similar words?How to choose "Rather" vs alternatives?
rather vs quite
「rather」語氣較強，常帶有負面或驚訝的意味；「quite」語氣較中性或正面，表示「相當」或「完全」。
rather vs prefer
「rather」用於即時選擇或建議，常與「would」連用；「prefer」用於表達一般性的偏好。
rather vs fairly
「rather」語氣較強，可修飾負面或極端的形容詞；「fairly」語氣較弱、較溫和，通常修飾正面或中性的形容詞。
口語用法
How is "Rather" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Rather"?
引述
在口語中，常用 "rather" 來引述或轉述他人的話，帶有「寧願」、「比較想」的含義。 EN: A: "Do you want to go out?" B: "I'd rather stay in." 翻譯: A: "你想出去嗎？" B: "我寧願待在家裡。"
EN:She said she'd rather have tea than coffee.
翻譯:她說她比較想喝茶，而不是咖啡。
語氣強調
用於加強語氣，表達「相當」、「頗為」的意思，使描述更生動。 EN: That movie was rather good, actually. 翻譯: 那部電影其實相當不錯。
EN:It's getting rather late, we should head back.
翻譯:時間頗晚了，我們該回去了。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，作為短暫的停頓填充詞，類似「嗯」、「這個」。 EN: Well, it's... rather... complicated to explain. 翻譯: 嗯，這... 這個... 解釋起來有點複雜。
EN:I think we should, rather, reconsider the plan.
翻譯:我認為我們應該，嗯，重新考慮這個計劃。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免將 "rather" 用作停頓填充詞，並謹慎使用其口語化的強調語氣，以保持文體的嚴謹性。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Rather"?What fixed phrases with "Rather" should I remember?
rather than
rather than + noun/gerund/clause
而不是；與其...不如...
would rather
would rather + base verb / would rather + subject + past tense
寧願；更喜歡
or rather
clause, or rather + correction
或者更確切地說；更準確地說是
rather a lot
rather a lot (of)
相當多；為數不少
rather good/interesting etc.
rather + adjective
相當好/有趣等（常帶有驚喜或超出預期的意味）
had rather
had rather + base verb (archaic/formal)
寧願（較古舊或正式的用法）
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Rather"?Which "Rather" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I will have tea rather of coffee.
✓I will have tea rather than coffee.
「rather」與「than」是固定搭配，表示「而不是」。不可用「of」或「instead of」直接替換。
×It's a rather interesting book.
✓It's rather an interesting book.
當「rather」修飾帶有不定冠詞「a/an」的形容詞+名詞時，順序通常是「rather + a/an + adj. + noun」。但在非正式口語中，「a rather + adj. + noun」也可接受，但前者是更傳統、強調的用法。
×I'd rather to stay home tonight.
✓I'd rather stay home tonight.
「would rather」後面接動詞原形（不帶to的不定詞），表示偏好。
×I rather prefer tea.
✓I prefer tea. / I'd rather have tea.
「prefer」本身已表示「更喜歡」，通常不需要用「rather」來修飾。表達偏好時，應分開使用「prefer」或「would rather」。
×The movie was rather good. (想表達「還不錯」)
✓The movie was fairly good. / The movie was quite good.
「rather」常帶有負面或令人驚訝的含義（尤其用於褒義形容詞前時），或表示程度較強。想表達中性或溫和的「相當」時，用「fairly」或「quite」更合適。
×He is a teacher, rather a professor.
✓He is a teacher, or rather, a professor.
用於修正或更精確地說明前述內容時，應使用「or rather」，作為插入語，前後通常加逗號。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Rather"?What are tense/participle forms of "Rather"?