▎只好, zhĭhǎo, (Adv), concession, could only, have no choice but to

 

Function The adverb 只好 introduces the best possible option under the given circumstances.

1 電信公司的門市不能刷卡，顧客只好付現金。

Diànxìn gōngsī de ménshì bù néng shuākǎ, gùkè zhǐhǎo fù xiànjīn.

The telephone company’s retail outlet doesn’t let you pay with credit cards. Customers can only pay in cash.

2 他好不容易考上熱門科系，可惜念了一個學期發現興趣不合，只好轉系。

Tā hǎobù róngyì kǎoshàng rèmén kēxì, kěxí niànle yí ge xuéqí fāxiàn xìngqù bù hé, zhǐhǎo zhuǎn xì.

He managed to test into a really popular department. Unfortunately, after a semester, he discovered that it’s not where his interests lie. He had no choice but to change majors.

3 水餃都煮破了，我只好留下來自己吃。

Shuǐjiǎo dōu zhǔpò le, wǒ zhǐhǎo liúxiàlái zìjǐ chī.

All of the dumplings split open during cooking. I had no choice but to keep them for myself to eat.

4 上課以前我才發現書被我弄丟了。我只好趕快去跟朋友借。

Shàngkè yǐqián wǒ cái fāxiàn shū bèi wǒ nòngdiū le. Wǒ zhǐhǎo gǎnkuài qù gēn péngyǒu jiè.

I didn’t notice that I had lost my book until just before class. I had no choice but to quickly borrow one from a friend.

5 他快遲到了，只好搭計程車去上班。

Tā kuài chídào le, zhǐhǎo dā jìchéngchē qù shàngbān.

He was going to be late, so he had no choice but to take a taxi to work.