-을 수밖에 없다Korean expression · TOPIK 2

-eul subakke eopda

TOPIK 2 2급 Expressions 표현

An expression used to indicate that there is no other method or possibility other than that.

형태Forms

-을 수밖에 없다-ㄹ 수밖에 없다

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

An expression used to indicate that there is no other method or possibility other than that.

그것 말고는 다른 방법이나 가능성이 없음을 나타내는 표현.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ or the past -었-.

‘ㄹ’을 제외한 받침 있는 동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-었-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

내가 출장을 갈 수밖에 없었다.

I had no choice but to go on the business trip.

밥이 없으니 라면을 먹을 수밖에 없다.

There's no rice, so we have no choice but to eat ramen.

비가 많이 오니 집에 있을 수밖에 없었다.

It was raining heavily, so we had no choice but to stay home.

대화In conversation

왜 건물 입구가 막혀 있어요?

Why is the building entrance blocked?

바닥 공사 때문에 당분간 입구를 막을 수밖에 없어요.

Due to the floor construction, we have no choice but to keep the entrance closed for a while.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-게 되다 -ge doeda An expression used to indicate that something will become the state or situation mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 2 -기 때문에 -gi ttaemun -기 때문이다 An expression used to indicate that the preceding statement is the reason or cause for the following incident. TOPIK 2 -기로 하다 -giro hada An expression used to decide or promise the performance of the act mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 2 -는 것 -neun geot -은 것 · -ㄴ 것 · -을 것 An expression used to enable a non-noun word to be used as a noun in a sentence or to be used in front of '이다' (be). TOPIK 2 -는 것 같다 -neun geot gatda -ㄴ 것 같다 · -은 것 같다 · -ㄹ 것 같다 An expression used to indicate that the statement is a guess. TOPIK 2 -는 동안에 -neun dong-an -는 동안 An expression used to indicate the time, for which the act or state mentioned in the preceding statement lasts. TOPIK 2

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -을 수밖에 없다 mean in Korean?

-을 수밖에 없다 is a expression introduced at 2급 (TOPIK 2). An expression used to indicate that there is no other method or possibility other than that.

When do you use -을 수밖에 없다?

Attaches after verbs and adjectives ending in a consonant other than ㄹ or the past -었-. The other shape is -ㄹ 수밖에 없다 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -을 수밖에 없다 and -ㄹ 수밖에 없다?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same expression, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -을 수밖에 없다?

2급 — TOPIK 2, elementary. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.