HOW TO USE 수밖에 없다
The grammar structure -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 is used to show that something cannot be helped — that there is no alternative action.
In English, this is often translated as “have no choice but to,” “can’t help but,” or “inevitably must.”

EXPRESSING INEVITABILITY
The structure -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 is used when something is inevitable or unavoidable, either due to external circumstances or internal reasoning.
It implies that there is only one logical option or one possible conclusion in a situation.
It can be used in both spoken and written Korean, and is common in both casual and formal contexts when explaining one’s reasoning.
PATTERN
Verb stem + 수밖에 없다
약속이 있어서 갈 수밖에 없어요. | I have an appointment, so I have no choice but to go. |
이건 꼭 해야 해서 할 수밖에 없어요. | I must do this, so I can’t help but do it. |
View More Examples:
배가 너무 고파서 먹을 수밖에 없었어요. | I was so hungry that I had to eat. |
사람이 많아서 기다릴 수밖에 없었어요. | There were so many people that I had to wait. |
시간이 없어서 포기할 수밖에 없었어요. | I had no time, so I had to give up. |
증거가 확실해서 믿을 수밖에 없었어요. | The evidence was clear, so I had no choice but to believe it. |
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
➡️ This grammar always needs a verb in future form.
Correct: 할 수밖에 없다, NOT 수밖에 없다.
➡️ This form explains inevitability and is not used to give orders.
➡️ Be careful: -(으)ㄹ 수 있다 = can do, while -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 = must do.
MORE EXAMPLES
학교 규칙이라 지킬 수밖에 없어요. | It’s a school rule, so I have no choice but to follow it. |
상황이 그래서 이해할 수밖에 없어요. | Because of the situation, I can’t help but understand. |
다른 선택이 없어서 그렇게 할 수밖에 없어요. | There’s no other choice, so I have to do it like that. |
현실이 그러니까 받아들일 수밖에 없어요. | Since that’s reality, I must accept it. |
결국 사과할 수밖에 없었어요. | In the end, I had no choice but to apologize. |
어쩔 수 없이 늦을 수밖에 없었어요. | I couldn’t help but be late. |
당연히 책임질 수밖에 없어요. | Naturally, I must take responsibility. |
도저히 참을 수밖에 없었어요. | I had no choice but to endure it. |
그럴 수밖에 없는 이유가 있어요. | There’s a reason why it had to be that way. |
상대방 입장을 생각하면 이해할 수밖에 없어요. | Considering the other person’s perspective, I can’t help but understand. |
이렇게 된 이상 받아들일 수밖에 없네요. | Now that it’s come to this, I have no choice but to accept it. |
방법이 없으니까 기다릴 수밖에 없어요. | Since there’s no other way, we have to wait. |

Learn Korean with FlexiClasses
Book online classes with the best teachers in the industry.
FAQs
Can 수밖에 없다 be used in both past and future tenses?
Yes!
You can use it in past, present, or future tense by conjugating the verb before attaching 수밖에 없다.
For example:
Past:
시간이 없어서 택시를 탈 수밖에 없었어요.
“I had no choice but to take a taxi because I didn’t have time.”
Future:
내일까지 끝내야 하니까 밤새 일할 수밖에 없을 거예요.
“Since it has to be done by tomorrow, I’ll have no choice but to work all night.”
Is 수밖에 없다 used in formal or informal situations?
It can be used in both. Just adjust the verb conjugation at the end:
Formal: 어쩔 수 없어서 도와드릴 수밖에 없습니다.
Informal: 어쩔 수 없이 도와줄 수밖에 없어.
What’s the difference between 수밖에 없다 and just using “해야 한다”?
“해야 한다” means “must do,” while “수밖에 없다” emphasizes lack of choice or inevitability.
It carries a slightly stronger emotional nuance or justification.
Can I use 수밖에 없다 with nouns or adjectives?
No, 수밖에 없다 is typically used with verbs only.
To express inevitability with adjectives or nouns, a different structure is usually required.
Does 수밖에 없다 always imply something negative?
Not always, but it often carries a sense of resignation or no better option.
However, it can be neutral or even positive depending on the context.
Can I study Korean with LTL?
Yes!
You can study with us in Seoul, in our Hongdae location, or online if you prefer learn from home.
Contact us here if you have any questions.