against one's will; having no other choice
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesadjective
having no alternative; against one's will; reluctantly
formalDescribes a situation where one is forced to act due to external circumstances, with no better option available. Often used as a predicate or an adverbial.
Shí实
zài在
bù不
dé得
yǐ已
，
zhǐ只
hǎo好
qīn亲
zì自
qù去
yī一
tàng趟
。
Having no other choice, I had to go there personally.
Tā他
men们
zhè这
yàng样
zuò做
，
shì是
chū出
yú于
bù不
dé得
yǐ已
。
They acted this way out of necessity.
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Gōng公
sī司
miàn面
lín临
dǎo倒
bì闭
，
bù不
dé得
yǐ已
cái裁
diào掉
le了
dà大
bù部
fen分
yuán员
gōng工
。
The company was facing bankruptcy and had no choice but to lay off most of its employees.
Zhè这
shì是
wàn万
bù不
dé得
yǐ已
de的
bàn办
fǎ法
。
This is a last resort.
Tā他
bù不
dé得
yǐ已
cái才
xiàng向
péng朋
you友
jiè借
qián钱
。
He borrowed money from a friend only because he had no other option.