What does 不得不 mean in Chinese?

不得不 (bù dé bù) means "have no choice or option but to; cannot but; have to; can't help it; can't avoid" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 不得不?

不得不 is pronounced "bù dé bù" in Mandarin Chinese. It is made up of 3 syllables.

What HSK level is 不得不?

不得不 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam.

What characters make up 不得不?

不得不 is made up of the characters 不, 得, 不. Each character has its own meaning and can appear in other words.

How do you write 不得不?

You can practice writing 不得不 using our stroke order tool.

不得不 (bù dé bù), have no choice or option but to

不得不

bù dé bù

have no choice or option but to; cannot but; have to; can't help it

HSK 4

Characters in This Word

不得不

Definitions

have no choice or option but to
cannot but
have to
can't help it
can't avoid

Example Sentences

我不得不去。

Wǒ bùdébù qù

I have to go

Related Words

选择(xuǎn zé)· to select

→

无奈(wú nài)· helpless

→

宁缺毋滥(nìng quē wú làn)· better to have nothing (than substandard choice) (idiom); would prefer to go without than accept shoddy option

→

选项(xuǎn xiàng)· to make a choice (between several alternatives)

→

Grammar Notes

Double 不 for EmphasisHSK 2

不 A 不 B OR 不...不 + Verb

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 3 list

不得不: HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 不得不 with the rest of your level.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.