Word: 不得已 (bùdéyǐ) 不得已 dictionary entry bùdéyǐ to act against one's will; to have no alternative but to; to have to; to have no choice; must Full dictionary entry for 不得已 Example sentences using 不得已 2 sentences, showing page 1 of 1. 我是不得已才卖掉了房子。 Wǒ shì bùdéyǐ cái màidiàole fángzi. I sold the house only because I had no other choice. 路封了，他们不得已绕道走。 Lù fēng le, tāmen bùdéyǐ ràodào zǒu. The road was closed, so they had no alternative but to take a detour.