AdverbsHSK 5
Expressing "have to" with 不得不
Use 不得不 before a verb to indicate that you have no choice but to do something, often reluctantly or due to external pressure. It emphasizes compulsory action, similar to 'have no choice but to' and stronger in compulsion than 必须.
Structure
Subj. + 不得不 + Verb
Examples
- 你真的太厉害了，我不得不承认。Nǐ zhēn de tài lìhài le, wǒ bùdébù chéngrèn.You are so good. I have to admit it.
- 电梯又坏了，我们不得不爬楼梯。Diàntī yòu huài le, wǒmen bùdébù pá lóutī.The elevator is broken again. We have to take the stairs.
- 不好意思，时间有限，我不得不打断你。Bù hǎoyìsi, shíjiān yǒuxiàn, wǒ bùdébù dǎduàn nǐ.I'm sorry, but time is very limited. I have to interrupt you.
- 因为生病的关系，他不得不放弃这次旅行。Yīnwèi shēngbìng de guānxì, tā bùdébù fàngqì zhè cì lǚxíng.Because he was sick, he had no choice but to give up this trip.
- 我的腿受伤了，我不得不退出比赛。Wǒ de tuǐ shòushāng le, wǒ bùdébù tuìchū bǐsài.My leg was injured, so I had no choice but to drop out of the competition.