与其
yǔqí · HSK 7
rather than
⚖️ 与 (with/than) + 其 (that one) = weighing this against that: rather than
与其 opens the 与其...不如... pattern: rather than A, better B. The 与 carries a comparison sense (than), and 其 points at the option being rejected, so the pair sets up the loser in a two-way choice.
与 — hand 𠂇 + give/tusks 牙-like element
与 is the simplified form of 與. The traditional 與 depicts four hands cooperating to lift and pass an object, conveying the idea of giving or participating together. Over time the meaning extended to 'and' and 'with', linking parties who share or take part in something.
其 — top 八 + winnowing basket 其 (originally 箕)
Originally a pictograph of a bamboo winnowing basket, now written 箕 with the bamboo radical added on top. The original form 其 was borrowed phonetically to write the pronoun and particle meaning 'his/her/its' or 'that.' This loan use became dominant, so a new character 箕 was created for the basket meaning.