Meanings of 只得
By ear
Play it, then pick what 只得 means.
About 只得
Podcast: 只得
Podcast: 只得
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 只得
只好 (zhǐhǎo) - use 只得 when emphasizing a sense of obligation due to circumstances, while 只好 suggests resignation to a situation without the same emphasis on obligation.
Learners often confuse 只得 with similar phrases like 只能 (zhǐ néng), which also implies limitation but focuses more on ability. This phrase is more formal and is suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Be careful to use the correct tone, as the meaning can change with tone variations.
While 只得 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance comprehension of sentences involving obligation. Focus on the context in which it appears, as it often pairs with verbs to indicate necessary actions.
Learners might confuse 只得 with 只好 (zhǐ hǎo), which means 'have no choice but to.' For example, saying '我只得去' instead of '我只好去' when expressing obligation can lead to awkward phrasing.
Pronunciation of 只得
Drill the tone of 只得 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 只得 to You
Let me explain 只得 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 只得 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 只得?
Learning Lab
Knowing 只得 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component Characters
How to say to have no alternative but to in Chinese
“to have no alternative but to” in Chinese is只得
只得 (zhǐ dé) means to have no choice but to do something or to be obliged to do something. It is often used in situations where the speaker feels compelled to take a specific action due to circumstances, highlighting a lack of alternatives.
When to use 只得
Learners often confuse 只得 with similar phrases like 只能 (zhǐ néng), which also implies limitation but focuses more on ability. This phrase is more formal and is suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Be careful to use the correct tone, as the meaning can change with tone variations.
只得 or something close to it
只好 (zhǐhǎo) - use 只得 when emphasizing a sense of obligation due to circumstances, while 只好 suggests resignation to a situation without the same emphasis on obligation.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 只得 with 只好 (zhǐ hǎo), which means 'have no choice but to.' For example, saying '我只得去' instead of '我只好去' when expressing obligation can lead to awkward phrasing.
Write 只得
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 只得 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 只得?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 只得
Yes, but it is more formal and might sound out of place in very casual settings.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 只得?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.