不得已

bùdéyǐ

adverb HSK 7 #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

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.

迫不得已的时候才能动用储备。

Pò bùdéyǐ de shíhou cái néng dòngyòng chǔbèi.

Reserves should only be used when absolutely necessary.

Tips

usage

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

Stroke Order

不 bù

得 dé

已 yǐ