Definition

1. Adverbial phrase:
   • Having no other choice / being forced to: Expresses a situation where one must do something undesirable because there is no better alternative or all other options have been exhausted. It conveys reluctance and compulsion.

Usage Examples

• Adverbial phrase:
  • Chẳng đã tôi phải đồng ý. (I had no choice but to agree.)
  • Chẳng đã anh ấy mới phải bán căn nhà. (He was forced to sell the house.)
  • Chẳng đã thì tôi đã không làm thế. (I wouldn't have done that if I had any other choice.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used to introduce a clause explaining an action taken out of necessity. It sets a tone of resignation.
  • Chẳng đã vì hoàn cảnh, cô ấy phải nghỉ học. (Forced by circumstances, she had to quit school.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cực chẳng đã: A stronger, more emphatic variant meaning "absolutely forced to," "as a last resort," or "under extreme duress."
  • Cực chẳng đã họ mới cầu cứu đối thủ. (Only as an absolute last resort did they ask their rival for help.)

Synonyms

• Reluctantly: doing something unwillingly.
• Perforce: by necessity; unavoidably.
• Out of necessity: because it is required.

Related Idioms

• Bất đắc dĩ: A formal synonym meaning "against one's will" or "out of unavoidable necessity." It is often used in similar contexts but is more literary.
  • Hành động này là do bất đắc dĩ. (This action was taken out of necessity.)