About

The word 不得不 is formed by the character 不 (not) preceding the phrase 不得 (cannot), which itself combines 得 (to obtain/must) with 不. This structure uses double negation: the first 不 negates 不得, resulting in the literal meaning 'not cannot,' which pragmatically expresses obligation or necessity, meaning 'have to.'

Example Sentences Hide

为了准时完成工作，我不得不熬夜。

Wèile zhǔnshí wánchéng gōngzuò, wǒ bùdébù áoyè.

In order to finish the work on time, I had to stay up late.

因为公交车晚点了，我们不得不跑着去学校。

Yīnwèi gōngjiāochē wǎndiǎnle, wǒmen bùdébù pǎozhe qù xuéxiào.

Because the bus was late, we had no choice but to run to school.

面对这样的证据，他不得不承认自己错了。

Miànduì zhèyàng de zhèngjù, tā bùdébù chéngrèn zìjǐ cuòle.

Faced with such evidence, he had to admit that he was wrong.

残酷的现实让我不得不重新思考我的计划。

Cánkù de xiànshí ràng wǒ bùdébù chóngxīn sīkǎo wǒ de jìhuà.

The harsh reality forced me to rethink my plan.

如果天气继续恶化，组委会将不得不取消这次活动。

Rúguǒ tiānqì jìxù èhuà, zǔwěihuì jiāng bùdébù qǔxiāo zhè cì huódòng.

If the weather continues to deteriorate, the organizing committee will have to cancel this event.

Word Definition - 不得不

bù dé bù have no choice but to; have to; cannot but

Individual Character Details

不 bù
得 dé, dè, de, děi
不 bù