rather than的意思是：宁可...也不愿(与其...倒不如，而不是)，有并列的意思，是根据句子的意思来解释的。例句：I think he means 'at' rather than 'to'；我想，他是想说at，而不是to。
rather than的用法
一、rather than用作连词，连接两个平行结构。既可以表示主观愿望上的决择，“与其…宁可…”，也可以表示客观程度上的差异，“与其说是…不如说是…”。例如：
1、接代词
1）I,rather than you,should do the work.
该做这工作的是我，而不是你。
2、接名词
2）John ought to go rather than Jean.约翰比琴更应该去。
3）I think I'll have a cold drink rather than coffee.
我想我该要一杯冷饮，而不要咖啡。
试比较：
4）We sometimes eat rice instead of potatoes.
有时候我们不吃土豆，而吃米饭。
3、接形容词
5）These shoes are comfortable rather than for your friend.
这鞋不好看可是舒服。
6）You are doing this for yourself rather than for your friend.
你不是为你朋友，而是为你自己做这种事。
7)I'd prefer to go in August rather than in July.我愿8月去不愿7月去。
5、接动名词
8)I always prefer starting early,rather than leaving everything to the last minute,
我总是愿意早开始而不愿意把所有事情都留到最后才做。
9)He was engaged in writing a letter rather than reading the newspaper.
他那时是在写信而不是看报纸。
6、接过去分词
10)She insisted on having the room papered rather than painted.
她坚持要用纸裱糊房间，而不是把房间粉刷一下。
7、接不定式
11)I decided to write rather than telephone.我决定写信而不是打电话。
12)They prefer to die fighting rather than live in enslavement.
他们宁可战死，也不肯活着受奴役。
13)I prefer to work rather than remain idle.我宁愿工作而不愿闲着。
8、接谓语动词
14)He told a lie rather than get his friend into trouble.
他宁愿说谎也不愿连累朋友。
15)Shall we go for a walk rather than watch television?
咱们不看电视，出去散步，好不好？