Pattern: -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없어요
-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없어요 (-(eu)ㄹsu-bakk-eeop-eo-yo, (eu)ㄹsubakkeeopeoyo)
-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없어요 expresses that there is no other choice but to do something, indicating inevitability.
When and how native speakers actually use it.
Means having no choice but to do something
When to use
explaining unavoidable situations, forced choices, regretful conclusions
The nuance
Attach '-(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없어요' to the verb stem. If the stem ends with a consonant, use '-을 수밖에 없어요'; if it ends with a vowel, use '-ㄹ 수밖에 없어요'. This structure emphasizes inevitability or lack of alternatives.
시험을 못 봐서 다시 공부할 수밖에 없어요.
si-heom-eul mos bwa-seo da-si gong-bu-hal su-bakk-e eop-eo-yo., si heom eul mos bwa seo da si gong bu hal su bakk e eop eo yo.
The verb stem ends with a vowel, so '-ㄹ 수밖에 없어요' is correctly attached.
비가 와서 집에 있을 수밖에 없어요.
bi-ga wa-seo jip-e iss-eul su-bakk-e eop-eo-yo., bi ga wa seo jip e iss eul su bakk e eop eo yo.
Though ‘있’ has a final consonant, ‘있을 수밖에 없어요’ is the correct full form; the example is acceptable as standard usage.
너무 피곤해서 일하러 갈 수밖에 없어요.
neo-mu pi-gon-hae-seo il-ha-reo gal su-bakk-e eop-eo-yo., neo mu pi gon hae seo il ha reo gal su bakk e eop eo yo.
The meaning is contradictory; being tired doesn’t logically force going to work, so the sentence is unnatural.
차가 막혀서 늦을 수밖에 없어요.
cha-ga mak-hyeo-seo neuj-eul su-bakk-e eop-eo-yo., cha ga mak hyeo seo neuj eul su bakk e eop eo yo.
The verb stem ends with a consonant, so '-을 수밖에 없어요' is correctly used.
그 사람이 싫어서 만나지 않을 수밖에 없어요.
geu sa-ram-i sil-eo-seo man-na-ji an-eul su-bakk-e eop-eo-yo., geu sa ram i sil eo seo man na ji an eul su bakk e eop eo yo.
The negative verb form combines naturally with the grammar pattern.
돈이 없어서 여행 갈 수밖에 없어요.
don-i eop-eo-seo yeo-haeng gal su-bakk-e eop-eo-yo., don i eop eo seo yeo haeng gal su bakk e eop eo yo.
The sentence is illogical; lacking money is not a reason to travel.
When do you use -(으)ㄹ 수밖에 없어요?
Which sentence is correct?
When do you add ‘-을’ in ‘-을 수밖에 없어요’?
