-느니만 못하다
be worse than (not doing)
Level 6 · Expression
Explanation
The result of doing something is worse than an alternative (usually not doing it). Attaches to verb stems; common as 안 하느니만 못하다, 없느니만 못하다.
Examples
대충 할 거면 안 하느니만 못하다.
Doing it sloppily is worse than not doing it.
잘못된 정보는 없느니만 못하다.
Wrong information is worse than none.
억지로 한 사과는 하지 않느니만 못했다.
A forced apology was worse than none at all.
TOPIK note
TOPIK II Reading 28–31, 46–47.