Definition

1. Adverbial phrase:
   • Reluctantly; against one's will: Describes an action taken because one feels compelled or forced by circumstances, not out of desire or free choice. It implies a sense of obligation or necessity that overrides personal preference.

Usage Examples

• Adverbial phrase:
  • Bạn nói mãi, anh ta buộc lòng phải nhận lời. (You insisted so much, he reluctantly had to accept.)
  • Vì hoàn cảnh khó khăn, cô ấy buộc lòng phải bán căn nhà. (Due to difficult circumstances, she was forced/compelled to sell the house.)
  • Tôi buộc lòng phải từ chối lời mời của anh. (I regretfully/reluctantly have to decline your invitation.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "buộc lòng" is almost always followed by a verb phrase indicating the obligatory action, most commonly "buộc lòng phải..." (reluctantly must...). It expresses a conflict between external pressure and internal will.

Variants and Related Words

• Bắt buộc (v/adj): to compel, to force; mandatory, compulsory.

  • Đây là quy định bắt buộc. (This is a compulsory rule.)

• Miễn cưỡng (adj/adv): reluctant, unwilling; reluctantly.

  • Anh ấy đồng ý một cách miễn cưỡng. (He agreed reluctantly.)

Synonyms

• Reluctantly: in an unwilling and hesitant way.
• Perforce: by necessity; unavoidably.
• Under compulsion: acting because one is forced to.

Related Idioms

• "Bất đắc dĩ": This is a near-synonymous phrase meaning "having no other choice," "out of absolute necessity."
  • Hành động này là bất đắc dĩ. (This action was taken out of sheer necessity.)

1. Reluctantly
   • bạn nói mãi, anh ta buộc lòng phải nhận lời
     on his friend's insistence, he reluctantly accepted