bat1 dak1 ji5不得已

Jyutpingbat1 dak1 ji5

Yalebāt dāk yíh

語句Uncommon

Definition

To have no choice but to do something; to be forced or compelled to.

neutraldaily actionsemotion

How it's used

This term carries a sense of resignation or being forced by circumstances rather than personal desire. It is often used to justify an action that might otherwise be seen as negative or regrettable. While it appears in written contexts, it is frequently used in spoken Cantonese to explain away difficult decisions.

Examples

keoi5佢ci4辭zik1職dou1都hai6係bat1不dak1得ji5已，uk1屋kei2企taai2太do1多je5嘢faan4煩。

He resigned because he had no choice, there were too many family issues.

ceoi4除zo2咗ni1呢go3個fong1方faat3法，zung6仲jau5有mou5冇kei4其taa1他bat1不dak1得ji5已ge3嘅syun2選zaak6擇？

Besides this method, are there any other unavoidable choices?

Common phrases

bik1逼bat1不dak1得ji5已

forced by circumstances

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple synonym of 'cannot', but it specifically implies a moral or situational compulsion. It is not used for simple physical inability, where 唔做到 or 冇辦法 would be more appropriate.