只好 zhǐhǎo

只好（zhǐhǎo）means “have no choice but to; be forced to”. "只好" indicates that, because the ideal option is unavailable, one settles for the only remaining choice. Formation: （因为…）+ 主语 + 只好 + 动词短语

have no choice but to; be forced to

HSK4

Formation

（因为…）+ 主语 + 只好 + 动词短语

Explanation

"只好" indicates that, because the ideal option is unavailable, one settles for the only remaining choice. It marks a reluctant, forced decision and usually follows a stated or implied difficulty.

Examples

没有公交车了，我们只好走路回家。
méiyǒu gōngjiāochē le, wǒmen zhǐhǎo zǒulù huíjiā
There were no more buses, so we had no choice but to walk home.
他不在，我只好给他留了个便条。
tā bú zài, wǒ zhǐhǎo gěi tā liú le gè biàntiáo
He wasn't there, so I had to leave him a note.

Note

Close to 只能, but 只好 stresses reluctance and the practical way out; 只能 stresses the limit itself.

FAQ

只好 — what does it mean and how is it used?

have no choice but to; be forced to. "只好" indicates that, because the ideal option is unavailable, one settles for the only remaining choice. It marks a reluctant, forced decision and usually follows a stated or implied difficulty.

只好 — how do you form it?

（因为…）+ 主语 + 只好 + 动词短语

只好 — any usage notes?

Close to 只能, but 只好 stresses reluctance and the practical way out; 只能 stresses the limit itself.

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