Let's learn how to use the V+(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 Korean Grammar with some simple and easy-to-understand example sentences.
V + (으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 – “There’s no choice but to…”
USE:
This expression is used when something cannot be avoided or when a person has no other option but to do something.
It can be translated as:
“There’s no choice but to…”
“I have to…” / “I can’t help but…”
It expresses a sense of inevitability, the speaker is forced to act or believe something because no other solution exists.
CONJUGATION RULE
Attach (으)ㄹ 수밖에 없다 to a verb stem.
If the verb stem ends in a vowel, add -ㄹ 수밖에 없다
→ 가다 → 갈 수밖에 없다 (to have no choice but to go)If the verb stem ends in a consonant, add -을 수밖에 없다
→ 먹다 → 먹을 수밖에 없다 (to have no choice but to eat)
EXAMPLE SENTENCES:
- 비가 와서 우산을 쓸 수밖에 없어요.
→ It’s raining, so I have no choice but to use an umbrella. 시험이 내일이라서 공부할 수밖에 없어요.
→ Since the exam is tomorrow, I have to study.그 사람이 거짓말을 한 걸 보니 믿을 수밖에 없었어요.
→ Seeing that person lie, I couldn’t help but believe it.가격이 너무 싸서 살 수밖에 없었어요.
→ It was so cheap that I had no choice but to buy it.
Additional Notes
- Often expresses resignation or inevitability, even if the speaker doesn’t want to do it.
Can also be used in the past or future by conjugating “없다”:
없었어요 → had no choice
없을 거예요 → will have no choice
Common in both spoken and written Korean.
