むしろrather; if anything
Of two ways to put something, or two things to do, むしろ marks the one you are keeping: "if anything, this one". Often it is the opposite of what was expected.
the truer word
It's not so much cool today as cold, if anything.
the better choice
If anything, the train is quicker than going by car.
How to use it
A より／というより／ではなく、むしろ B
An adverb, so it never changes. It stands in front of B, the side you are keeping. When A is what was just said, むしろ can open the sentence.
- Before it
- The side you set aside: a guess, the usual view, the other option. There has to be one. むしろ is not the "rather" of "rather cold"; that is かなり.
- After it
- The side you are keeping. In a reply it is often short: むしろ好き, むしろ助かる, むしろありがたい.
- Where you'll meet it
- Conversation and writing alike. The spelled-out AではなくむしろB leans written: essays, opinion pieces.
In use
Isn't this job hard?
No. If anything, it's fun.
If you're tired, you'd be better off going to bed early today than forcing yourself to exercise.
His remark should be taken not as criticism but, if anything, as a suggestion.
The written style.
むしろ or かえって?
Both can come out in English as "on the contrary". かえって needs something that was meant, or expected, to do the opposite of what it did: a medicine, a shortcut. Otherwise it is むしろ, which only weighs two sides and keeps one.
I don't mind spicy food. If anything, I like it.
Nothing here could backfire, so かえって can't go here.
I took the medicine and actually got worse.
The medicine was meant to help. It did the opposite.
Close neighbours
というよりN3
Goes on the description you are dropping: "not so much A…". It only rewords. It doesn't pick between two things to do.
What he said sounded more like an excuse than an explanation.
かえってN3
A result that is the reverse of what you'd expect, usually for the worse.
I took a shortcut to get there sooner, and it actually took longer.
Check yourself
1How does this person feel about eating alone?
一人で
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one fits?
あの
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
I'd rather take my time traveling on my own than go in a big group.
A higher price does not necessarily mean better quality. If anything, this cheaper product is more durable.
Rather than adding more to the schedule, it would be better to take one thing out.