…总比…好
at any rate better than; better than … anyway
Structure
（不理想的） A ， 总比 （更坏的） B 好／强
What it means
A is far from ideal, but it is still better than B, the worse option: the language of compromise and making do. 总 = after all, in any case.
How it is built
(Imperfect) A + ， + 总比 + (worse) B + 好／强: 工资是低了一些，总比没有工作强 (the pay is a bit low, but it beats having no job).
When to use it
B is clearly bad (没有工作, 失业, 两败俱伤); A often has a concession: 是…了一些, 虽然, 至少. 强 is more colloquial than 好; writing also has 总胜于 or 好过. For a neutral ranking use an ordinary 比 sentence.
Watch out
Keep the worse option after 总比: ✗ 两败俱伤总比坐下来谈好 (says the opposite) ✓ 坐下来谈总比两败俱伤好.
Examples
在多边规则框架内坐下来谈，总比两败俱伤好。
Sitting down to talk within multilateral rules is always better than ruining each other.
工资是低了一些，总比没有工作强。
The pay is a bit low, but it beats having no job.
慢一点没关系，总比出错好。
It doesn’t matter if it is a bit slow: that is better than getting it wrong.
Learn this in Lesson 191 · HSK 7–9: 光伏反倾销案 (The solar panel dumping case)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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