Definition
无可奈何 is a set four-character phrase meaning 'to have no alternative' — it describes being forced to accept a situation because there is simply no other choice. It is more emphatic and literary than 无奈 (which can also be a conjunction meaning 'but unfortunately'), and unlike 不得已 (which emphasizes external compulsion), it highlights emotional resignation.
phrase
to have no alternativeto be helplessthere is nothing one can do
Examples
- ,无可奈何。Miàn duì zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng, tā wú kě nài hé.Faced with this situation, he had no choice.
- 无可奈何,。wú kě nài hé, wǒ zhǐ néng tóngyì tāmen de yāoqiú.Having no alternative, I could only agree to their demands.
- ,无可奈何。Háizi kū gè bù tíng, māma wú kě nài hé de yáo le yáo tóu.The child wouldn't stop crying, and the mother shook her head helplessly.
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