ほかない
Usually written in kana. Kanji spelling 他ない
can do nothing but ...; have no choice but to ...; there is nothing to do but ...; cannot help ...
Meanings
Expression, I-adjective
can do nothing but ...; have no choice but to ...; there is nothing to do but ...; cannot help ...
Forms
| Plain | Polite | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ほかない | ほかないです |
| Negative | ほかなくない | ほかなくないです |
| Past | ほかなかった | ほかなかったです |
| Past negative | ほかなくなかった | ほかなくなかったです |
| Te-form | ほかなくて |
|---|---|
| Conditional (ば) | ほかなければ |
| Conditional (たら) | ほかなかったら |
Example sentences
-
There was nothing for it but to go without food.
-
There was nothing for it but to give up my plan.
-
He had to submit himself to their decision.
-
His success was nothing short of a miracle.
-
The administration cannot but look for alternative sources of revenue.
More examples (7)
-
We had no choice but to go there.
-
She had no choice but to turn down his proposal.
-
Our escape was nothing short of a miracle.
-
I had to sip the coffee because it was too hot.
彼らは計画全体をあきらめるよりほかないと意見が一致している。
They agree that they have no choice but to give up the whole plan.
そうする他ないよ。
We have no choice but to do so.
-
For good or ill, there is no way but this to tide over the difficulty.