不得已

bùdéyǐ

adverb HSK 7-9 #10,156

Meanings

1 to have no choice but to
2 to act against one's will
3 out of necessity

Characters

to stop; already

Examples

HSK 2

他是不得已才这样做的。

Tā shì bùdéyǐ cái zhèyàng zuò de.

He had no choice but to do it this way.

HSK 7-9

迫不得已的时候才能动用储备。

Pòbùdéyǐ de shíhou cáinéng dòngyòng chǔbèi.

Reserves should only be used when absolutely necessary.

Tips

usage

迫不得已 is a stronger form meaning 'forced by circumstances / having absolutely no choice.'

Stroke Order

不 bù

得 de

已 yǐ