不得不
bù dé bù HSK 4

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

我不得不早起。
Wǒ bùdébù zǎo qǐ.
I have to wake up early.
他不得不去工作。
Tā bùdébù qù gōngzuò.
He must go to work.
我们不得不学习。
Wǒmen bùdébù xuéxí.
We have to study.
我不得不去。
Wǒ bùdébù qù.
I have to go.
他不得不工作。
Tā bùdébù gōngzuò.
He must work.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of being cornered and saying, "I **bu-de-bu** do it," because you have no choice but to.

📝 Usage Notes

It expresses a forced necessity or lack of alternatives. Use it when an action is compelled by circumstances, not by personal desire.

📖 Grammar Points

It expresses a compelled necessity or obligation due to external circumstances rather than personal desire.

🏯 Cultural Notes

It conveys a sense of reluctant necessity, often implying external pressure or circumstances leaving no better alternative, rather than a willing choice.

🔄 Similar Words

不得不 (bùdébù) is a strong expression of compulsion. Here are 2-3 similar words/phrases: 1. 只好 (zhǐhǎo) - "have to; be forced to" (implies a lack of a better alternative) 2. 只得 (zhǐdé) - "have no choice but to; be compelled to" (slightly more formal/literary than 只好) 3. 必须 (bìxū) - "must; have to" (expresses necessity or obligation, but not necessarily from external force)

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