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How to say “have no choice but to” with 不得不 vs 只好

不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb (no choice, compelled) / 只好 (zhǐhǎo) + Verb (reluctant but accepting)

Comparing "不得不 (bùdébù)" and "只好 (zhǐhǎo)"

HSK 6Adverbs

Rule structure

不得不 (bùdébù) emphasizes strong external pressure or necessity ("cannot but"). 只好 (zhǐhǎo) emphasizes resignation in the face of limited options ("the only choice left").

Examples

我不得不拒绝。 / 没车，只好走路。

Wǒ bùdébù jùjué. / Méi chē, zhǐhǎo zǒulù.

I have no choice but to refuse. / There’s no car, so we have to walk.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Comparing "不得不 (bùdébù)" and "只好 (zhǐhǎo)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb (no choice, compelled) / 只好 (zhǐhǎo) + Verb (reluctant but accepting). For example: 我不得不拒绝。 / 没车，只好走路。 — “I have no choice but to refuse. / There’s no car, so we have to walk.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

我不得不拒绝。 / 没车，只好走路。 — “I have no choice but to refuse. / There’s no car, so we have to walk.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 6.

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