不得不

Meaning(adverb)

have no choice or option but to; cannot but; have to; can't help it; can't avoid

Examples

• 下大雨了，我们不得不取消旅行。

  xià dà yǔ le, wǒ men bù dé bù qǔ xiāo lǚ xíng.

  It poured with rain, so we had to cancel the trip.

• 工作太多，他不得不加班。

  gōng zuò tài duō, tā bù dé bù jiā bān.

  With so much work, he had no choice but to work overtime.

• 我不得不承认他说得对。

  wǒ bù dé bù chéng rèn tā shuō dé duì.

  I have to admit he's right.

Easily confused

• 只好 — Both mean 'have to'; 不得不 stresses being forced and is stronger; 只好 is milder and more colloquial.

Written with AI, waiting for a teacher's review.