AdverbsHSK 5
Declaring the only option with 只好
Used to express that one has no choice but to do something, always following a reason or situation that leaves no other option. The structure can optionally include a subject before 只好. Learners often forget to state the preceding context; 只好 should never appear without explaining why the action is forced.
Structure
Reason/Context ， (Subj. +) 只好 + Verb Phrase
Examples
- 餐厅都关门了，我们只好去吃KFC。Cāntīng dōu guānmén le, wǒmen zhǐhǎo qù chī KFC.The other restaurants are all closed, so we didn't have a choice but go to KFC to eat.
- 我忘了预约，只好去排队。Wǒ wàngle yùyuē, zhǐhǎo qù páiduì.I forgot to make an appointment, so I had to wait in line.
- 他没有时间去，只好我去。Tā méiyǒu shíjiān qù, zhǐhǎo wǒ qù.He doesn't have time to go, so I have to go.
- 她实在受不了那么吵闹的邻居，只好搬走了。Tā shízài shòubuliǎo nàme chǎonào de línjū, zhǐhǎo bān zǒu le.She really couldn't stand such noisy neighbors, so she had to move away.
- 票价太贵了，我只好放弃了。Piàojià tài guì le, wǒ zhǐhǎo fàngqì le.The fare was too expensive, so I gave up.