Definition
只得 (zhǐ dé) is a formal, written adverb meaning 'have no choice but to' — it emphasizes a reluctant, forced decision when no other option is available. It's more formal than 只好 (zhǐ hǎo), which is the everyday spoken equivalent, and stronger than 只能 (zhǐ néng 'can only'), which simply states a limitation without the sense of reluctance.
adverb
to have no choice but toto be obliged to
Easily confused
- 值得zhí désound-aliketo be worth; to deserve
Examples
- ，只得。Yīnwèi tiānqì bù hǎo, wǒmen zhǐ dé qǔxiāo hángbān.Because the weather was bad, we had no choice but to cancel the flight.
- ，只得。Tā shēngbìng le, zhǐ dé tuīchí huìyì.He got sick and had to postpone the meeting.
- ，只得。Kǎoshì qián méi fùxí, wǒ zhǐ dé yìngzhe tóupí qù kǎo.I didn't review before the exam, so I had no choice but to go take it anyway.
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