降参するくらいなら死んだ方がましだ。

降参するくらいなら死んだ方がましだ。

I would sooner die than give up.

降参(こうさん)するくらいなら死(し)んだ方(ほう)がましだ。

Kōsansuru kurai nara shinda hō ga mashi da.

降参 (こうさん)

giving in to; giving up; surrender

くらい (くらい、ぐらい)

approximately; about; around; or so; to (about) the extent that; (almost) enough that; so ... that ...; at least; as ... as ...; like

だ (だ)

be; is; indicates past or completed action; indicates light imperative

死ぬ (しぬ)

to die; to pass away; to lose spirit; to lose vigor; to look dead; to cease; to stop

方 (かた)

direction; way; person; lady; gentleman; method of; manner of; way of; care of ..; person in charge of ..; side (e.g. "on my mother's side")

が (が)

indicates sentence subject (occasionally object); indicates possessive (esp. in literary expressions); but; however; still; and

増し (まし、マシ)

better; less objectionable; preferable; more; increase; extra; increase; growth

Readings: コウ、ゴ、お.りる、お.ろす、ふ.る、ふ.り、くだ.る、くだ.す

Meanings: descend, precipitate, fall, surrender

Readings: サン、シン、まい.る、まい-、まじわる、みつ

Meanings: nonplussed, three (in documents), going, coming, visiting, visit, be defeated, die, be madly in love, participate, take part in

Readings: シ、し.ぬ、し.に-

Meanings: death, die

Readings: ホウ、かた、 -かた、 -がた

Meanings: direction, person, alternative