bất đắc dĩ

Vietnamese

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 不得已.

Pronunciation

(Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔɓət̚˧˦ ʔɗak̚˧˦ zi˦ˀ˥]
(Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔɓək̚˦˧˥ ʔɗak̚˦˧˥ jɪj˧˨]
(Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ʔɓək̚˦˥ ʔɗak̚˦˥ jɪj˨˩˦]

Adverb

bất đắc dĩ

if or when in a desperate situation and having no other choices
Synonym: vạn bất đắc dĩ

Bất đắc dĩ thì tao mới phải làm vậy.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, dude.

Adjective

bất đắc dĩ

(of a situation or circumstance) desperate and leaving no other choices
(of a person) forced to do something due to having no other choices
người hùng bất đắc dĩ
a reluctant hero

Usage notes

Not to be confused with bất đắc chí (“feeling inadequate or unfulfilled”)

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