Translation guide
Expresses that there is no alternative but to do something, often reluctantly or under unavoidable circumstances.
Expressing that one must do something because there is no other option, often with a sense of reluctance or resignation.
A formal pattern meaning 'cannot help but do' or 'have no choice but to do'. Used in written and spoken formal contexts. Attach to the negative stem of a verb (the ない-form without ない). For する verbs, use せざるを得ない.
悪天候のため、試合を中止せざるを得なかった。
Due to the bad weather, we had no choice but to cancel the game.
彼の意見に反対せざるを得ない。
I have no choice but to disagree with his opinion.
Means 'cannot avoid doing' or 'must do' due to obligation, social expectation, or circumstances. More about duty than reluctance. Attach to the negative form of a verb.
上司に頼まれたので、やらないわけにはいかない。
Since my boss asked me, I have no choice but to do it.
明日は試験だから、勉強しないわけにはいかない。
I have an exam tomorrow, so I have no choice but to study.
A common, slightly casual pattern meaning 'there is nothing but to do' or 'can only do'. Expresses that the only option is to do something. Attach to the dictionary form of a verb.
バスがないから、歩くしかない。
There's no bus, so we have no choice but to walk.
誰も手伝ってくれないので、自分でやるしかない。
No one will help me, so I have no choice but to do it myself.
A slightly literary pattern meaning 'there is no other way but to do'. Similar to しかない but more emphatic. Attach to the dictionary form of a verb.
こうなったら、最後まで戦うよりほかない。
Now that it's come to this, we have no choice but to fight to the end.
Similar to よりほかない, meaning 'there is no alternative but to do'. Slightly less common. Attach to the dictionary form of a verb.
謝るほかはない。
I have no choice but to apologize.
ざるを得ない emphasizes reluctance or being forced by circumstances. ないわけにはいかない emphasizes obligation or social duty. しかない is a neutral, common way to say 'there is no other choice'.
雨だから、試合を中止せざるを得ない。（残念だが仕方ない）
Because of rain, we have no choice but to cancel the game. (unfortunate but unavoidable)
上司の命令だから、やらないわけにはいかない。（義務）
It's the boss's order, so I have no choice but to do it. (obligation)
電車がないから、タクシーで帰るしかない。（単に選択肢がない）
There's no train, so I have no choice but to go home by taxi. (simply no other option)
電車がないから、タクシーで帰るしかない。（単に選択肢がない）
There's no train, so I have no choice but to go home by taxi. (simply no other option)