Could "Rather = Little bit" be true? [closed]

Question

After reading usage-and-meaning-of-the-word-rather, I had a thought if I could replace rather with "little bit" (it's still in doubt by the way).

What I've known so far (correct me if I'm wrong), rather is used to compare different things like:

it's rather blue than green

or in other words

it's more blue than green.

That's what I know. I tried to find some sentences using "rather" and replaced it with "little bit". Let's see these examples:

It was a rather difficult question. -> It was a little bit difficult question.

I've always rather liked Charlie. -> I've always little bit liked Charlie.

The rules are rather complicated. -> The rules are little bit complicated.

Does it make sense?

Answer 1

You are looking at two different meanings of rather.

In 'It's rather blue than green', rather means instead of, as opposed to. The object can better be described as blue than as green.

In your other sentences, rather means somewhat, to a certain extent. You could say "The rules are a [little] bit complicated." (A bit is more usual than a little bit.)

"The question was a [little] bit difficult" is possible, but we wouldn't say "It was a bit difficult question."

We wouldn't say "I've always [a] little bit liked Charlie", and "I like Charlie a little bit" sounds as though you don't really like him much at all. "I rather like" sounds much more positive.

Answer 2

Oxford dictionary online gives definition:[rather] "...used to mean ‘fairly’ or ‘to some degree’, often when you are disappointed, surprised or expressing slight criticism."

You have the "little bit" right; however, don't leave out connotation of disappointment, surprise, or expression of criticism in your use of "rather."