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"Rather" is an adverb which is often translated as "preferir", and "rather than" is a phrase which is often translated as "en vez de". Learn more about the difference between "rather" and "rather than" below.
rather(
rah
-
thuhr
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
2. (quite)
a. bastante
Under the guidance of Pope Francis, the church is becoming rather socially oriented.Bajo la dirección del Papa Francisco, la iglesia se está orientando bastante hacia lo social.
3. (somewhat)
a. mejor dicho
He has been in business, or rather at his fruit stand, for 15 years now.Ha tenido un negocio, o mejor dicho un puesto de frutas, ahora por 15 años.
rather than(
rah
-
thuhr
thahn
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (instead of)
a. en vez de
I'm going to go to Puerto Vallarta rather than Acapulco this year.Voy a ir a Puerto Vallarta en vez de Acapulco este año.
c. antes que
I'd sooner go shopping rather than visit museums with you.Prefiero ir de compras antes que visitar museos contigo.
d. en lugar de
He always seems to be scolding rather than giving advice.Siempre parece estar regañando en lugar de dar consejos.
e. y no
We need to solve the problems we have rather than create new ones.Necesitamos resolver los problemas que tenemos y no crear nuevos.
