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Decoded Slug: ~할 바에 [hal bae] (Rather than)
Korean Grammar Point
~할 바에 [hal bae] (Rather than)
~할 바에 [hal bae] (Rather than)
Short explanation:
Used to express a preference for an alternative action rather than the one under consideration; 'rather than'.
Formation:
Verb in dictionary form + '할 바에'
Examples:
그런 말을 들을 바에 차라리 아무 말도 듣지 않는 게 낫겠다.
Geureon mareul deureul bae charari amu maldo deutji anneun ge natgetda.
Rather than listening to those words, I would better off not hearing anything at all.
혼자 있을 바에 친구와 함께 여행을 가는 것이 더 좋을 것 같아요.
Honja issul bae chinguga hamkke yeohaeng-eul ganeun geosi deo joheul geot gat-ayo.
Rather than being alone, I think it would be better to travel with a friend.
그와 싸울 바에 차라리 화해하는 것이 더 낫다.
Geuwa ssaul bae charari hwahaehaneun geosi deo natda.
Rather than fighting with him, it's better to reconcile.
취업하지 못할 바에 그냥 학교를 계속 다니는 게 나을 것 같아요.
Chwieop-haji mothael bae geunyang hakgyoreul gyesok danineun ge na-eul geot gat-ayo.
Rather than being unable to find a job, I think it might be better to just keep going to school.
Long explanation:
'~할 바에 [hal bae]' is used in Korean to indicate that given a choice between two actions, the speaker would rather not do the action attached to '할바에'. It essentially emphasizes one's preference for a different action over the one presently being pondered. Be cautious though, it is often employed in expressing negative alternatives or unfavorable situations.