不得不

bù dé bù

HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Adverb Common

Save to list

Definitions

1. have no choice or option but to
2. cannot but
3. have to
4. can't help it
5. can't avoid

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial · $49.99 / year

Sign up with Google

Did Google show an error? Sorry about that. Use your email below instead.

Continue with Email

Lifetime for $119.99 Try a practice session

Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 必须 bì xū 必须 bì xū to have to must; have to (generally obligatory): to have to
• 难免 nán miǎn 难免 nán miǎn hard to avoid hard to avoid; inevitable: hard to avoid

Usage notes

Common mistakes

不得不 emphasizes a reluctant, unavoidable choice, while 必须 indicates a general obligation or requirement.

Formality

不得不 is slightly more formal and is more common in written Chinese, whereas 没法不 is more colloquial.

Example Sentences

4 shown

我 不得不 去。

I have no choice but to go.

由于丑闻，他 不得不 下台。

Due to the scandal, he had to step down.

在权威面前，他 不得不 俯首。

He had to bow his head before authority.

由于经济衰退，公司 不得不 裁员。

Due to the economic recession, the company had to lay off employees.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 不得不

• 不 不 bù: no; not so
• 得 得 dé: to obtain
• 得 得 de: structural particle: used after a verb (or adjective as main verb), linking it to following phrase indicating effect, degree, possibility etc
• 得 得 děi: to have to
• 不得 不得 bù dé: must not