不得已

• Pinyin: bù dé yǐ
• Desglose de hanzi: 不 = not; 得 = to obtain/can; 已 = to stop, originally a pictograph of a fetus, meaning completion or cessation

Significado

No tener más remedio; como último recurso.

Describes actions taken reluctantly when all other options have been exhausted. Emphasizes that the action was not desired but was the only remaining option. Often used to justify difficult decisions or explain unwanted outcomes.

Ejemplos

1. 辞职实在是不得已的选择，我也想过很多其他办法。
2. 不得已之下，他只好卖掉了父母留下的老房子。
3. 我们采取这个措施完全是不得已而为之。

Guía de uso

Contexto: explanations, justifications, difficult decisions

Tono: reluctant

Correcto

• 这是不得已的办法。(This is a last resort.)
• 不得已，我只好答应了。(Having no choice, I had to agree.)

Incorrecto

• 我不得已吃了第三块蛋糕。(Don't use 不得已 for things you wanted to do anyway — it implies genuine reluctance and lack of alternatives)

Origen e historia

不得 (cannot) + 已 (stop, cease). Literally 'cannot stop oneself' — meaning one has no choice but to proceed.

Contexto cultural

Generación: All ages

Contexto social: Universal