Learning objectives
- Lesson goals: "There is no option but to..."—more formal than しかない.
- Form and connection: [Verb辞书形] ほかない / よりほかない
- Nuance in real use: ほかない acknowledges life's moments of having no choice—every exit blocked, only one path remains.
Form and connection
Core Explanation
"There is no option but to..."—more formal than しかない.
Cultural Note
Practical examples
Common pitfalls
Build the base form before adding the pattern
Complete the required conjugation first. Do not keep polite and plain endings at the same time.
Match politeness to the situation
The examples are reliable starting points; relationships and context can still change the most natural wording.
Practice and answers
Show answer
[Verb辞书形] ほかない / よりほかないShow answer
There's nothing to do but endure.Show answer
ここまで来きたらやるよりほかない。 ([Verb辞书形] ほかない / よりほかない)Continue learning
Ippou Da: Continues To
A state or change continues in one direction — often worsening. This lesson combines form, context, examples, common mistakes, and practice so you can use the pattern in real communication.
Zaru Wo Enai: Forced To
"Have no choice but to" — formal, reluctant. This lesson combines form, context, examples, common mistakes, and practice so you can use the pattern in real communication.
Complete Guide to Plain Forms: Linking Ideas, Quotations, and Judgments
Learn the plain forms of nouns, adjectives, and verbs and use them to modify nouns, quote speech, express time and reasons, state plans, make judgments, and build indirect questions.