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
Category:B2 grammar points