只好
HSK 5- Modal verbs
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
只好 expresses that there is no other choice and one has no option but to do something.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The adverb 只好 (zhǐhǎo) is used when there are no better options available and one must reluctantly accept the only remaining solution. It carries a sense of unwillingness or having no choice, equivalent to "have no choice but to" or "can only" in English.
Typically, the clause before 只好 states the cause or difficult situation, while the clause after it gives the action one is forced to take as a result.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 下雨了，我只好打车回家。繁: 下雨了，我只好打車回家。Xià yǔ le, wǒ zhǐhǎo dǎchē huí jiā.
It's raining, so I had to take a taxi home.
- 末班车走了，我们只好走路。繁: 末班車走了，我們只好走路。Mòbānchē zǒu le, wǒmen zhǐhǎo zǒulù.
The last bus has left, so we had no choice but to walk.
- 我忘了带钱包，只好让他付钱。繁: 我忘了帶錢包，只好讓他付錢。Wǒ wàng le dài qiánbāo, zhǐhǎo ràng tā fù qián.
I forgot to bring my wallet, so I had to let him pay.
- 商店关门了，我们只好明天再来。繁: 商店關門了，我們只好明天再來。Shāngdiàn guānmén le, wǒmen zhǐhǎo míngtiān zài lái.
The shop is closed, so we have to come back tomorrow.
- 他生病了，只好在家休息。Tā shēngbìng le, zhǐhǎo zài jiā xiūxi.
He got sick, so he had no choice but to stay home and rest.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我只会说汉语，只好说汉语。Correct:我只会说汉语，只能说汉语。
只能 expresses limitation in ability or choice, while 只好 conveys reluctant or forced action.
- Wrong:我打车只好回家。Correct:我只好打车回家。
只好 is an adverb that must stand immediately before the verb or verb phrase it modifies.