非得 … 不可 (absolutely must)
Only he can do this
- (followed by a verb phrase…非得 + Action + cannot不可 / won't do不行 / won't do不成 = "absolutely must / have to".
- this这matter事(followed by a verb phrase…非得他来cannot不可 = "this absolutely has to be him."
- (followed by a verb phrase…非得 stresses there's no alternative.
(followed by a verb phrase…非得 + Action + cannot不可 / won't do不行 / won't do不成
- (followed by a verb phrase…非得…cannot不可 doubles down on necessity.
this这matter事absolutely must非得he他come来no other way不可。
- (followed by a verb phrase…非得他来cannot不可 = "it absolutely has to be him."
Explore
Correct or broken?
非得 … 不可 declares the one unavoidable way: it absolutely has to be so.
Practice
It absolutely has to be him: 这事 ____ 他来不可。
非得 + Action + 不可 = absolutely must: 非得他来不可.
Practice
非得 pairs with 不可 / 不行 / 不成.
Yes — 非得…不可 / 不行 / 不成.
Recap
Key idea
- (followed by a verb phrase…非得 + Action + cannot不可 / won't do不行 / won't do不成 — "absolutely must"
- this这matter事(followed by a verb phrase…非得他来cannot不可
- Stresses there's no alternative ((degree marker)得 read děi)
Read the full reference: HSK 6 grammar — Sentence patterns.
Practice
非得 stresses…
非得…不可 = absolutely must; 得 is read děi.