～よりほかない

When to use

"Have no other choice but X" - names the one remaining option explicitly.

Explanation

The ～よりほかない grammar point is used to express that there is no other choice or alternative in a given situation. It can be translated as 'have no choice but to...', 'nothing but...', or 'cannot do anything but...'.

• 試験しけんが近ちかいので、勉強べんきょうするよりほかない。

  Since the exam is near, there is no choice but to study.

  Shiken ga chikai node, benkyou suru yori hoka nai.

• 風邪かぜがひどいので、早はやく寝ねるよりほかない。

  My cold is severe, so I have no choice but to go to bed early.

  Kaze ga hidoi node, hayaku neru yori hoka nai.

• バスが来こないので、歩あるくよりほかない。

  Since the bus isn't coming, I have no choice but to walk.

  Basu ga konai node, aruku yori hoka nai.

• お金かねがないので、安やすいものを買かうよりほかない。

  Since I have no money, I have no choice but to buy cheap things.

  Okane ga nai node, yasui mono o kau yori hoka nai.

Inevitable (Cannot Help But)

• Verb ざるを得ない~ zaru wo enaiN1'Cannot but', 'have no choice but to', 'forced to'
• ～ざるを得ない〜zaru wo enaiN2Have no choice but to; cannot help but.
• Verb ずにはおかない~zuni wa okanaiN1Expresses 'cannot help but...', 'will definitely...', or…
• Verb ないではすまないVerb nai dewa sumanaiN1'Cannot end without doing', 'must do' - an unavoidable…
• Noun を禁じ得ない〜wo kinjienaiN1'Cannot help but do', or 'inevitable'
• ～ではすまない〜dewa sumanaiN1Expresses that just doing something is not enough or will…
• Noun だけではすまないNoun dake dewa sumanaiN1Expresses 'it can't be settled with just...', 'cannot be…

Compare when to use each