只得

zhǐ dé

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Adverb Rare

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Definitions

1. to have no alternative but to; to be obliged to

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Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 必须 bì xū 必须 bì xū to have to 与“只得”不同，“必须”强调主观要求或规定，不一定是别无选择: to have to
• 只能 zhǐ néng 只能 zhǐ néng can only 侧重能力或条件上的限制: can only

Synonyms

2 items

• 不得不 bù dé bù 不得不 bù dé bù have no choice or option but to 表示没有别的选择，只能这样做: have no choice or option but to
• 只好 zhǐ hǎo 只好 zhǐ hǎo to have no other option but to ...; to have to; to be forced to 不得不，常用于口语: to have no other option but to ...; to have to; to be forced to

Usage notes

Common mistakes

“只得”强调客观情况逼迫使然，不是主观意愿；不要与“只好”或“只能”混淆。

Formality

“只得”多用于书面语，口语中更常说“只好”。

Example Sentences

1 shown

没有公交车，他 只得 走回家。

There was no bus, so he had no choice but to walk home.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 只得

• 只 只 zhǐ: only
• 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
• 只 只 zhī: grain that has begun to ripen