只好
zhǐ hǎo
Have to, have no choice but to
How to say “had to” in Chinese with 只好 (zhǐhǎo)
Subj. + 只好 (zhǐhǎo) + Verb Phrase
只好 (zhī hǎo) — only option, had to
HSK 4Adverbs
Subj. + 只好 (zhǐhǎo) + Verb Phrase
HSK 4Adverbs只好 (zhī hǎo) — only option, had to
Rule structure
只好 (zhǐhǎo) expresses that someone has no choice but to do something; "the only option is to…". It implies unwillingness but necessity.
Rule structure
只好 (zhǐhǎo) expresses that someone has no choice but to do something; "the only option is to…". It implies unwillingness but necessity.
Examples
没有别的办法，只好放弃。
Méiyǒu biéde bànfǎ, zhǐhǎo fàngqì.
There’s no other way, so I had to give up.
Examples
没有别的办法，只好放弃。
Méiyǒu biéde bànfǎ, zhǐhǎo fàngqì.
There’s no other way, so I had to give up.
Practice
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “only option, had to” in Chinese with 只好?
Use the structure: Subj. + 只好 (zhǐhǎo) + Verb Phrase. For example: 没有别的办法，只好放弃。 — “There’s no other way, so I had to give up”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
没有别的办法，只好放弃。 — “There’s no other way, so I had to give up”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
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More HSK 4 grammar rules
原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate
千万 — don't, whatever you do
千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
不得不 — have to, forced to
Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase
也 都 — also all
Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question
恐怕 — I'm afraid that...
恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause
从来 — never in negative contexts
从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.