Grammar Point:
In Chinese, the expression 只好 zhǐhǎo is used to convey the idea that someone has no choice but to do something because it’s the only viable option or the best available solution in a given situation.
Structure
(S) + 只好 zhǐhǎo + V
大家都不想當班代,只好抽籤決定大家都不想当班代,只好抽签决定
No one wants to be the class representative, so we had to draw lots to decide.
家裡冷氣壞了,我只好去咖啡店待著家里空调坏了,我只好去咖啡店待着
The AC doesn’t work at home, so I had to stay at a coffee shop.
牛奶忘了冰就壞了,只好再去買一瓶牛奶忘了冰就坏了,只好再去买一瓶
I forgot to refrigerate the milk, so it went bad, and I had to buy another one.
餐廳說今天的預約都滿了,我們只好改吃別家餐厅说今天的预约都满了,我们只好改吃别家
The restaurant said all the reservations for today are full, so we had to eat at a different place.
因為一直找不到男朋友,只好一個人生活因为一直找不到男朋友,只好一个人生活
Because I couldn’t find a boyfriend, I had to live alone.
公司臨時要加班,我只好取消跟朋友的聚餐公司临时要加班,我只好取消跟朋友的聚餐
The company required overtime at the last minute, so I had to cancel the dinner with my friends.
現在餐廳已經都休息了,我只好等晚餐再吃现在餐厅已经都休息了,我只好等晚餐再吃
Now all the restaurants are closed, so I’ll have to wait until dinner to eat.
FYI
In Taiwan, many restaurants have a break period between 2:00 or 2:30 PM until dinner service resumes at around 5:30 or 6:00 PM. This means that if you miss the lunchtime window, your options for a meal are often limited to coffee shops or convenience stores. It’s a common practice, especially in traditional eateries. However, not all restaurants follow this schedule, and some larger or international chains may offer continuous dining options throughout the day.
Practice
TouchHover over the space to see the answers.
✔️ My phone broke, so I had to take it for repair. I had to use my old one for now.
我的手機壞了拿去修理,只好先用以前的我的手机坏了拿去修理,只好先用以前的
✔️ I missed the last bus, so I had to walk home.
因為錯過末班車,只好走路回家因为错过末班车,只好走路回家
✔️ I’ve gained weight recently, and my clothes don’t fit anymore, so I had to give them away.
最近胖了衣服都穿不下,只好拿去送人最近胖了衣服都穿不下,只好拿去送人