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After comparing the two options, you lean toward one. Which activity does the person in the picture prefer?

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N3 · Intermediate 3

どちらかというと〜・どちらかといえば〜dochira ka to iu to ~

if I had to choose; rather

「どちらかというと〜」 gently shows which option you prefer or which group something suits more.

How it works

  1. After comparing the two options, you lean toward one. Which activity does the person in the picture prefer?

    After comparing the two options, you lean toward one. Which activity does the person in the picture prefer?

  2. The two sentence openings in the picture have similar meanings: if you had to compare, you would lean more toward this option.

    The two sentence openings in the picture have similar meanings: if you had to compare, you would lean more toward this option.

  3. Besides expressing preferences, you can also give a gentle assessment: overall, this event is more suited to young people.

    Besides expressing preferences, you can also give a gentle assessment: overall, this event is more suited to young people.

  4. Preferring hands-on events in the example does not mean disliking events where you just watch. It only expresses a preference.

    Preferring hands-on events in the example does not mean disliking events where you just watch. It only expresses a preference.

  5. The sentence about young people does not state the other side of the comparison, but the context shows that it compares who the event is suited to.

The sentence about young people does not state the other side of the comparison, but the context shows that it compares who the event is suited to.

Example sentences

  • 私わたしwatashiは、わ、wa、どちらdochiraかkaとtoいえieばba見るみるmiruだけdakeのnoイベントいべんとibentoより、yori、体験たいけんtaikenできるdekiruイベントいべんとibentoがga好きです。すきです。sukidesu。

    If I had to choose, I prefer events where I can experience things over events where I just watch.

  • このkonoイベントいべんとibentoは、わ、wa、どちらdochiraかkaとtoいうiuとto若いわかいwakai人向けひとむけhitomukeだdaとto

In a conversation

  • A
    「体験型たいけんがたコンテンツこんてんつの展示てんじブースぶーすは、わ、どちらかといえば混雑こんざつしていますね。」ね。

    A: "The exhibition booths for hands-on content are relatively crowded, wouldn't you say?"

  • B
    「そうそうですね。実演じつえんを見るみるのにも長蛇ちょうだの列れつができていて、大盛況だいせいきょうですね。」ね。
  • A
    「活気かっきがあっていいですが、並ぶならぶのはわ少しすこし疲れますつかれますね。」ね。

    A: "It's nice to have a lively atmosphere, but waiting in line is a bit tiring."

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

    Rather than events you just watch, I prefer events you can experience hands-on.

  4. Level 3 · Use

    What goes in the blank?

    このイベントは、____若い人向けだと思います。

    I think this event is more geared toward young people.

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜とともにtogether with
  • 〜しかないhave no choice but to
  • 〜ずにはいられないcan't help doing
  • 〜一方でwhile also showing another side
  • 〜させられるbe prompted to feel or think
  • 〜のみならずnot only, but also
  • 〜と同時にat the same time; while also
  • 〜によって・〜により・〜によるby means of; due to
  • 〜だけにprecisely because
  • 〜としてもeven if; supposing that
  • 〜に先立って・〜に先立ちbefore; prior to an event
  • どちらかというと〜・どちらかといえば〜if I had to choose; rather
Previous〜に先立って・〜に先立ち

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Intermediate 3
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思います。おもいます。
omoimasu。

I think this event is geared towards younger people, if anything.

B: "Indeed. There are long queues even just to watch the demonstration, so it's a huge success."