Chinese word

不能不

Pronunciation

Pinyinbù néng bù

Meaning

  • adverbhave no choice but

Example

我不能不接受这个条件。wǒ bù néng bù jiē shòu zhè ge tiáo jiàn

I have no choice but to accept this condition.

Illustration for 不能不 (have no choice but)

More examples

看到那份报告后，我不能不感到担忧。kàn dào nà fèn bào gào hòu wǒ bù néng bù gǎn dào dān yōu

After seeing that report, I couldn't help but feel worried.

Core concept

Pressure closes every alternative until an action becomes unavoidable.

Common phrases

  • 不能不承认bù néng bù chéng rèn

    cannot help but admit

  • 不能不接受bù néng bù jiē shòu

    have no choice but to accept

  • 不能不考虑bù néng bù kǎo lǜ

    have no choice but to consider

Similar words

不得不bù dé bù: Shows that outside circumstances leave no choice but to take an action.
必须bì xū: Says that an action is required by duty, rules, or necessity.
只能zhǐ néng: Shows that ability or conditions limit the possible action to one choice.
只好zhí hǎo: Shows reluctant acceptance of the only remaining action when no better option is available.

Definition in Chinese

用来表示说话人认为没有办法不做某事，常用于陈述不得已或必然的行为。yòng lái biǎo shì shuō huà rén rèn wéi méi yǒu bàn fǎ bú zuò mǒu shì cháng yòng yú chén shù bù dé yǐ huò bì rán de xíng wéi

Word origin

不能不 (bùnéngbù, "cannot not") combines 不能 (bùnéng, "cannot") with 不 (bù, "not"), turning two negative elements into a statement that the action cannot be avoided.

Usage tips

  • It often appears when a speaker explains an unwanted decision forced by circumstances rather than merely stating a plan.

Other meanings

  • mustadverb
  • cannot help butadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word