Definition
不得已而为之 is a four-character set phrase (chengyu) meaning 'to do something because one has no other choice'. It combines 不得已 ('cannot help but') with 而为 ('and do') 之 ('it'). The phrase often carries a tone of regret or necessity, and is used in formal or written contexts.
v
to have no other choice but to do somethingto be forced to do something as a last resort
Examples
- 不得已而为之，。Tā zhèyàng zuò wánquán shì bú, nǐ bié guài tā.He did this completely because he had no other choice; don't blame him.
- 不得已而为之。Gōngsī cáiyuán shì bú de juédìng.The company's layoffs were a last-resort decision.
- ，不得已而为之。Zài nà zhǒng qíngkuàng xià, wǒ zhǐ néng bú.In that situation, I had no choice but to do it.
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