What is the difference of 不得不， 只得 and 只好？

1. 不得不 (bù dé bù):
Meaning: Have no choice but to; must; have to.
Usage: It indicates a situation where there is no alternative, and one is compelled to do something. It emphasizes a lack of other options.

Example:

我不得不去工作。 (Wǒ bù dé bù qù gōngzuò.)
(I have no choice but to go to work.)




2. 只得 (zhǐ dé):
Meaning: Have no choice but to; can only; have to.
Usage: Similar to 不得不, 只得 also conveys a sense of necessity or lack of alternatives. It implies that one reluctantly accepts a situation and has to do something.

Example:

雨太大了，我只得打车回家。 (Yǔ tài dà le, wǒ zhǐ dé dǎ chē huí jiā.)
(The rain is too heavy; I have no choice but to take a taxi home.)




3. 只好 (zhǐ hǎo):
Meaning: Have no better option but to; have to; can only.
Usage: This expression is often used when faced with a situation where there is no ideal or desirable choice. It suggests a kind of resignation or acceptance of the circumstances.

Example:

他们没给我安排住宿，我只好在附近找家酒店。 (Tāmen méi gěi wǒ ānpái zhùsù, wǒ zhǐ hǎo zài fùjìn zhǎo jiā jiǔdiàn.)
(They didn't arrange accommodation for me, so I had no choice but to find a hotel nearby.)