오히려
오히려 is an adverb that Koreans often use in conversation and in writing.
1. unexpectedly(different from a general expectation, assumption)’ or ‘instead‘. A synonym of this meaning is 도리어.
잘못한 사람이 오히려 화를 낸다. The person who made a mistake (unexpectedly) gets angry.
미안한 사람은 오히려 저예요. I am the one who should apologize. (instead of you)
가장 친한 친구가 오히려 나를 배신하고 내 돈을 훔쳐갔다. My best friend (unexpectedly) betrayed me and stole my money.
사장님이 웃고 있지만 그게 오히려 나를 더 불안하게 한다. The boss is smiling, but that makes me more nervous.(instead of being comfortable)
병원에 가면 오히려 병에 더 걸릴 것 같아. When I go to the hospital, I feel like I will get sick more.
지나친 운동은 오히려 더 안 좋을 수도 있어요. If you do exercise too much, it wouldn’t be good for you.
화장을 너무 많이 해서 예쁘기는커녕 오히려 더 못생겨 보인다.
She puts on too much make-up on her face, she looks more ugly.
2. ‘rather’ which means ‘compare two things’, so it is often used with ‘-느니(rather)’ or ‘-는 것보다(rather)’. A synonym of this meaning is ‘차라리‘.
이렇게 기다리느니 오히려 걸어가는 게 낫겠어요. I would rather walk than wait like this.
거짓말을 하는 것보다 오히려 사실대로 말하고 사과하는 게 좋지 않을까요? Don’t you think you’d rather tell the truth and apologize than lie about it?
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