1. | （常用于表示轻微的批评、失望或惊讶）相当，在某种程度上used to mean ‘fairly’ or ‘to some degree’, often when you are expressing slight criticism, disappointment or surprise |
The instructions were rather complicated. 这些说明相当复杂。 | |
She fell and hurt her leg rather badly. 她跌倒了，腿伤得相当重。 | |
I didn't fail the exam; in fact I did rather well! 我没有考不及格，事实上，我考得不错！ | |
It was a rather difficult question. 这是个相当难的问题。 | |
It was rather a difficult question. 这真是个难题。 | |
He looks rather like his father. 他看上去很像他的父亲。 | |
The patient has responded to the treatment rather better than expected. 病人对治疗的反应比预想的好得多。 | |
He was conscious that he was talking rather too much. 他意识到他说得实在太多了。 |
2. | （与动词连用以减弱语气）有点儿，稍微used with a verb to make a statement sound less strong |
I rather suspect we're making a mistake. 我有点儿怀疑我们正在犯错误。 | |
We were rather hoping you'd be able to do it by Friday. 我们希望你最好能在星期五之前做这件事。 |
3. | （纠正所说的话或提供更确切的信息）更确切地讲，更准确地说used to correct sth you have said, or to give more accurate information |
She worked as a secretary, or rather, a personal assistant. 她当了秘书；确切地讲，是私人助理。 | |
In the end he had to walk─or rather run─to the office. 最后他不得不走着，应该说是跑着，去办公室。 |
4. | （提出不同或相反的观点）相反，反而，而是used to introduce an idea that is different or opposite to the idea that you have stated previously |
The walls were not white, but rather a sort of dirty grey. 墙面不是白的，而是灰不溜秋的。 |
‘I'm going climbing tomorrow.’ ‘Rather you than me!’ “我明天去爬山。”“你去吧，我可不去！” |
‘I'm going climbing tomorrow.’ ‘Rather you than me!’ “我明天去爬山。”“你去吧，我可不去！” |
I think I'll have a cold drink rather than coffee. 我想要冷饮，不要咖啡。 | |
Why didn't you ask for help, rather than trying to do it on your own? 你干吗非得自己干，而不请人帮忙？ |
I think I'll have a cold drink rather than coffee. 我想要冷饮，不要咖啡。 | |
Why didn't you ask for help, rather than trying to do it on your own? 你干吗非得自己干，而不请人帮忙？ |
She'd rather die than give a speech. 她宁愿死也不愿意演讲。 | |
‘Do you want to come with us?’ ‘No, I'd rather not.’ “你想跟我们一起来吗？”“不，我不想去。” | |
Would you rather walk or take the bus? 你比较喜欢步行还是坐公共汽车？ | |
‘Do you mind if I smoke?’ ‘Well, I'd rather you didn't.’ “你介意我抽烟吗？”“嗯，最好别抽。” |
She'd rather die than give a speech. 她宁愿死也不愿意演讲。 | |
‘Do you want to come with us?’ ‘No, I'd rather not.’ “你想跟我们一起来吗？”“不，我不想去。” | |
Would you rather walk or take the bus? 你比较喜欢步行还是坐公共汽车？ | |
‘Do you mind if I smoke?’ ‘Well, I'd rather you didn't.’ “你介意我抽烟吗？”“嗯，最好别抽。” |
