不得不 (bùdébù) has a stronger tone than "必须 (bìxū)" meaning "someone cannot help but do something."
Structure
Examples
- 我 感冒 的时候 一般 不 吃药 ， 但是 这 次 很 严重 ， 我 不得不 吃 药 。 Wǒ gǎnmào de shíhou yībān bù chīyào, dànshì zhè cì hěn yánzhòng, wǒ bùdébù chī yào. I usually don't take medicine when I have cold. But it's very bad this time, and I have to take some pills.
- 你 真的 太 厉害 了 ， 我 不得不 承认 。 Nǐ zhēnde tài lìhai le, wǒ bùdébù chéngrèn. You are so good. I have to admit it.
- 老板 很 讨厌 应酬 ， 可是 她 不得不 去 。 Lǎobǎn hěn tǎoyàn yìngchou, kěshì tā bùdébù qù. The boss doesn't like to business socializing, but she has to go.
- 不好意思 ， 时间 有限 ， 我 不得不 打断 你 。 Bù hǎoyìsi, shíjiān yǒuxiàn, wǒ bùdébù dǎduàn nǐ. I'm sorry. We have very limited time. I have to interrupt you.
- 这些 情况 很 重要 ， 我们 不得不 重视 。 Zhèxiē qíngkuàng hěn zhòngyào wǒmen bùdébù zhòngshì. The situation is very important. We have to take it very seriously.
See also