也得 (yě dé) — no choice, must do

Verb + 也得 (yě děi) + Verb + ,不 (bù) + Verb + 也得 (yě děi) + Verb

HSK 43.0

Pattern diagram

Action也得Action,不Action也得Action

Rule structure

A fixed pattern that repeats the same action in affirmative and negative form. It expresses inevitability: there is no choice — “whether you like it or not, you must.” It is not two separate conditions but one formula of obligation.

Examples

今天下雨,去也得去,不去也得去。

Jīntiān xià yǔ, qù yě děi qù, bú qù yě děi qù.

It’s raining today, but whether you like it or not, you have to go.

作业多,写也得写,不写也得写。

Zuòyè duō, xiě yě děi xiě, bù xiě yě děi xiě.

There's a lot of homework, but whether you like it or not, you have to write it.

药很苦,吃也得吃,不吃也得吃。

Yào hěn kǔ, chī yě děi chī, bù chī yě děi chī.

The medicine is bitter, but you have to take it whether you like it or not.

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Words from this rule

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “no choice, must do” in Chinese with 也得?

Use the structure: Verb + 也得 (yě děi) + Verb + ,不 (bù) + Verb + 也得 (yě děi) + Verb. For example: 今天下雨,去也得去,不去也得去。 — “It’s raining today, but whether you like it or not, you have to go”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

今天下雨,去也得去,不去也得去。 — “It’s raining today, but whether you like it or not, you have to go”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 4.

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More HSK 3.0 Level 4 grammar rules