よりほかない

JLPT N2approx.Written
Meaning

Expresses that there is no alternative but to do something: "have no choice but to ~" or "can only ~". It is used when every other option has been ruled out.

Formation
Verb (dictionary form)+よりほかない
Negative optionVerb (nai-form)+よりほかない行かないよりほかない
VariantVerb (dictionary form)+よりほか(は/に)ない
PastVerb (dictionary form)+よりほかなかった借りるよりほかなかった
Examples
資金しきんが足たりないから、銀行ぎんこうから借かりるよりほかない。
We don't have enough funds, so we have no choice but to borrow from the bank.
もう他ほかに方法ほうほうがない、自分じぶんでやるよりほかないだろう。
There's no other way now; I suppose I have no choice but to do it myself.
Usage

Used when circumstances leave only one course of action, often with a sense of resignation (e.g., after stating that funds are short or no other method exists). It is somewhat stiffer than the everyday しかない and fits written or serious contexts. It is often softened with だろう or でしょう.

Watch out

Do not put the verb before よりほかない in the た-form. Keep it non-past and mark the past on the ending (よりほかなかった).

Note that the verb before より names the only remaining option, not the option that is being ruled out.

Note that a negative verb before よりほかない names the option of not doing something (行かないよりほかない, 'have no choice but not to go').

Easily confused with
  • 〜ほかないN3「〜ほかない」 has the same meaning and is generally interchangeable. Lacking 「より」, its exclusive tone is slightly weaker; its listed conjugations center on the dictionary form (unlike 「よりほかない」, which also lists the ない form), and it is likewise formal/written in style.
  • しかないN3「しかない」 is synonymous with 「よりほかない」 when attached to verbs and interchangeable, but it is neutral in register, common in speech, and also has the variant 「っきゃない」. It can also attach to nouns to mean 'there is only...' (e.g., 「これしかない」), which 「よりほかない」 cannot do.
  • ざるを得ないN2「ざるを得ない」 attaches to the ない form minus ない (する→せざる) and is interchangeable when expressing being forced to do something against one's will. It often attaches to 「言う」 and 「認める」 to mean 'cannot help but admit', and can also be used for things one is happy to do, such as 「買わざるを得ない」.
  • わけにはいかないN3「わけにはいかない」 with the dictionary form means one cannot do something due to common sense or circumstances; with the ない form it means one cannot avoid doing something out of duty or propriety. Only this latter sense is close to 「よりほかない」, but since 「よりほかない」 means having no other option, the two should not be swapped casually.
  • ようがない / ようもないN2「ようがない」 means not even one method exists—there is no way to do it—whereas 「よりほかない」 means this is the only path left, so you go ahead and do it; they are not interchangeable. 「ようがない」 attaches to the ます form minus ます, is neutral in register, and can also express an extreme degree beyond description.
  • までだN1「までだ」 with the dictionary form expresses decisively taking a certain measure, without emphasizing that there is no other way; its tone is crisp and 'nothing to lose', it often follows 「ば」 or 「なら」, and it is neutral in register. It also has the usage 「たまでだ」, meaning 'merely... and nothing more'.

〜ほかない has the same meaning, and しかない is its more colloquial equivalent. ざるを得ない stresses being forced against one's will; わけにはいかない means one cannot do something for social or moral reasons; ようがない/ようもない means there is no way to do it at all; までだ expresses resolve to simply do X if nothing else works.

Grammar · JLPT grammar levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android