JLPT N3 Grammar: むしろ (mushiro)

むしろ (mushiro)

Meaning: rather; instead; better; (the contrary; the opposite)

How to use the: むしろ + phrase

Explain:
Used to compare two events, showing which side has a higher level.

Example sentences:
1, 彼女は親切?むしろ割りに気難しい。
Kanojo wa shinsetsu? Mushiro wari ni kimuzukashī.
Is she that friendly? The opposite is very unapproachable

2, 景気はよくなるどころか、むしろ悪くなってきている。
Keiki wa yoku narudokoroka, mushiro waruku natte kite iru.
The economic situation is not good, opposite it was worse

Attention
Besides also used in the form of 「XよりもむしろY」, the expression Y has a higher level.

この点については教師((きょうし)よりもむしろ学生の方がよく知っている。
Kono ten ni tsuite wa kyōshi ( (kyōshi) yori mo mushiro gakusei no kata ga yoku shitte iru.
On this point, on the contrary, students know better than teachers.

大都会よりもむしろ地方の中・小都市で働きたいと考える人が増えてきている。
Dai tokai yori mo mushiro chihō no naka kotoshi de hatarakitai to kangaeru hito ga fuete kite iru.
The number of people who think that they want to work in a local area or a small town in contrast to a large city is increasing.