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The manager is away, but cleaning must continue, so the residents have to do it. There is no other way.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N2 · Intermediate 3

〜（より）ほかない／〜（より）ほかしかたがない~ (yori) hoka nai / ~ (yori) hoka shikata ga nai

have no other choice

Use 「〜よりほかない」 when circumstances leave no other way to act.

How it works

  1. The manager is away, but cleaning must continue, so the residents have to do it. There is no other way.

    The manager is away, but cleaning must continue, so the residents have to do it. There is no other way.

  2. Use the dictionary form of a verb, such as 「行う」, followed by the pattern meaning “have no other choice.”

    Use the dictionary form of a verb, such as 「行う」, followed by the pattern meaning “have no other choice.”

  3. Both 「ほかない」 and 「ほかしかたがない」 mean that this is the only way left.

    Both 「ほかない」 and 「ほかしかたがない」 mean that this is the only way left.

  4. 「より」 can be omitted. 「行うほかない」 also means there is no choice but to do it.

    「より」 can be omitted. 「行うほかない」 also means there is no choice but to do it.

  5. Safety cannot be confirmed, so introducing the robots must be postponed. The focus is on the constraints, not a personal preference.

    Safety cannot be confirmed, so introducing the robots must be postponed. The focus is on the constraints, not a personal preference.

Example sentences

  • 介護かいごkaigoするsuru人ひとhitoがga足りない地域たりないちいきtarinaichiikiでdeは、わ、wa、ロボットろぼっとrobottoのno力ちからchikaraをo借りるかりるkariruよりyoriほかhokaありません。arimasen。

    In areas where there is a shortage of caregivers, there is no choice but to rely on the power of robots.

  • 安全性あんぜんせいanzenseiがga確認かくにんkakuninできない場合できないばあいdekinaibaaiは、わ、wa、導入どうにゅうdounyuuをo見みmi送るおくるokuruよりyoriほかhokaありません。arimasen。

    If safety cannot be confirmed, we have no choice but to postpone the introduction.

    • In a conversation

    • A
      管理人さんかんりにんさんがしばらく不在ふざいになるそうです。

      A: I heard the manager will be away for a while.

    • B
      困りましたこまりましたね。共用きょうよう部分ぶぶんの清掃せいそうは、わ、私たちわたしたち住人じゅうにんで行うおこなうよりほかありませんね。

      B: That's a problem. We residents have no choice but to clean the common areas ourselves.

    • A
      そうですね。みんなで協力きょうりょくして役割やくわり分担ぶんたんを考えるかんがえるよりほかしかたがないですね。

      A: Yes, we have no choice but to cooperate and think about how to divide the roles.

    Check yourself

    1. Level 1 · Recognise

      Which sentence is correct?

    2. Level 1 · Recognise

      Listen and choose the meaning

    3. Level 2 · Build

      Put the words in order

      In areas where there are not enough caregivers, there is no choice but to rely on robots.

    4. Level 3 · Use

      What goes in the blank?

      介護職員の不足が深刻な施設では、介護ロボットを試験的に導入する____。

      In facilities facing a severe shortage of caregivers, there is no choice but to introduce care robots on a trial basis.

    More grammar in this theme

    • 〜といえばspeaking of; typical association
    • 〜というとtopic association
    • 〜べきだ／〜べきではないshould / should not
    • 〜ほど〜はないnothing is as … as
    • 〜（より）ほかない／〜（より）ほかしかたがないhave no other choice
    • 〜（っ）きり／〜（っ）きりだunchanged since then
    • 〜最中にright in the middle of
    • 〜かけだ／〜かけの／〜かけるstarted but unfinished
    • 〜ざるを得ないhave no choice but to
    • 〜を契機にas a trigger for change
    • 〜をめぐってconcerning an issue
    • 〜上のrelated to an aspect
    • 〜上from a certain perspective
    Previous〜ほど〜はないNext〜（っ）きり／〜（っ）きりだ

    Keep practising

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