Definition
只好 (zhǐ hǎo) means 'to have no choice but to' — it's the most natural, everyday adverb for accepting a forced alternative when the ideal option is gone. It's softer and more conversational than 不得不 (bù dé bù), which sounds more dramatic or reluctant, and more common than 只得 (zhǐ dé), which is slightly more formal. Unlike 必须 (bìxū 'must'), 只好 doesn't express obligation, only resignation to the only available option.
adverb
to have toto have no choice but toto be forced to
Examples
- ,只好。Jīntiān xià yǔ le, wǒmen zhǐ hǎo dāi zài jiā lǐ.It's raining today, so we have to stay at home.
- ,只好。Tā chídào le, zhǐ hǎo xiàng lǎoshī dàoqiàn.He was late, so he had to apologize to the teacher.
- ,只好,只好。Huǒchē piào mài wán le, zuò fēijī yòu tài guì, wǒmen zhǐ hǎo gǎi tiān zài qù.The train tickets are sold out, and flying is too expensive, so we have to go another day.
Grammar
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