Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
二者択一 (nishatakuitsu) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Report an issue with this page
しゅう
職しょく
か
、
二に
者しゃ
択たく
一いつ
を
迫せま
ら
れ
て
いる
。
I am forced to choose between going on to higher education or getting a job.
This problem is not so simple that it can be answered with a simple either-or choice.
Usage patterns 〈 事こと 〉 か 〈 事こと 〉 かの 二に 者しゃ 択たく 一いつ an either-or choice between A or B
I was forced to choose between going on to further education or getting a job.
二に 者しゃ 択たく 一いつ の 状じょう 況きょう に 置お かれる to be placed in a situation of having to choose between two options
二に 者しゃ 択たく 一いつ を 余よ 儀ぎ なくされる to be forced into an either-or choice
Expressions 二に 者しゃ 択たく 一いつ を 迫せま られる be forced to choose between two alternatives; be presented with two difficult choices Kanji 二 two, two radical (no. 7) Related words 選択 means 'choice' or 'selection' among any number of options, while 二者択一 specifically denotes a choice limited to two alternatives.
二択 is a casual, shortened way of saying 'two choices' used in everyday talk or quizzes, whereas 二者択一 is the more formal, logical term for the same idea.
Etymology A yojijukugo composed of 二者 (two things/people) and 択一 (choosing one). The phrase follows classical Chinese word formation patterns and entered Japanese as a Sino-Japanese compound.
He was placed in a situation where he had to choose between two options and was troubled by it.
Due to the company's financial troubles, we were forced into an either-or decision.
