只得 zhǐdé to have no alternative but to
to have no alternative but to; to be obliged to
How to remember 只得: 只 only + 得 get = to have no alternative but to.
Characters
How it is used
- 'Have no choice but to' - placed before the verb for a forced action: 没赶上车，只得走回家 (méi gǎnshàng chē, zhǐdé zǒu huí jiā) missed the bus, so had to walk home.
- Near-synonym 只好 is more colloquial; 只得 leans slightly more written.