Signification
To be forced to do something.
Contexte culturel
Italians often use 'non ho scelta' when dealing with complex government paperwork. It expresses a shared frustration with rigid systems. In Italian culture, family duties are often seen as non-negotiable. Saying 'non ho scelta' regarding a family event is a sign of respect for those bonds. Post-war Italian films often used this phrase to depict the harsh reality of poverty where characters literally had no options for survival. While the phrase is standard everywhere, in the South, you might hear 'Non c'è n'è' (There isn't any [choice]) as a more fatalistic alternative.
Use it for justification
When you are late or can't do a favor, start with 'Non ho avuto scelta...' to soften the blow.
Don't over-pluralize
Stick to the singular 'scelta' unless you are literally talking about a list of items.
Signification
To be forced to do something.
Use it for justification
When you are late or can't do a favor, start with 'Non ho avuto scelta...' to soften the blow.
Don't over-pluralize
Stick to the singular 'scelta' unless you are literally talking about a list of items.
The 'Che' connection
Master the 'Non ho altra scelta che [infinitive]' pattern to sound like a native speaker.
The shrug
This phrase is often accompanied by a classic Italian shoulder shrug and palms-up gesture.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'avere' in the present tense.
Noi non ______ scelta, dobbiamo partire subito.
'Noi' requires the first person plural form 'abbiamo'.
Choose the correct way to complete the sentence.
Non ho altra scelta ______ accettare.
'Non ho altra scelta che...' is the standard construction to link to an infinitive.
Match the Italian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
This tests your knowledge of tenses with the phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Perché hai venduto la tua vecchia chitarra? B: Mi servivano i soldi per l'affitto, ______.
The speaker is explaining a past action that was a necessity.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'Non abbiamo scelta'?
Situations:
This is the only situation where there is a lack of alternatives.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesNoi non ______ scelta, dobbiamo partire subito.
'Noi' requires the first person plural form 'abbiamo'.
Non ho altra scelta ______ accettare.
'Non ho altra scelta che...' is the standard construction to link to an infinitive.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
This tests your knowledge of tenses with the phrase.
A: Perché hai venduto la tua vecchia chitarra? B: Mi servivano i soldi per l'affitto, ______.
The speaker is explaining a past action that was a necessity.
Situations:
This is the only situation where there is a lack of alternatives.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, but it sounds more technical or like a direct translation from English. 'Non ho scelta' is much more natural.
Usually, you don't use the article 'la'. 'Non ho scelta' is the fixed idiom.
Use the passato prossimo: 'Non ho avuto scelta'.
No, it's neutral. However, if used to avoid helping someone, it might sound a bit cold.
Yes, to explain why you left a previous job if the company closed: 'L'azienda ha chiuso, non ho avuto scelta'.
'Scelta' is more common in daily life; 'alternativa' is slightly more formal or logical.
Not necessarily a person; it could be the weather, the law, or a situation.
Yes! 'Non c'era la pizza, non ho avuto scelta e ho preso un panino'.
You could say 'Mi tocca' (It falls to me / I have to), which implies you have no choice.
In Italian, it's 'Non mi lasci scelta'.
Yes: 'Se non piove presto, non avremo scelta e dovremo innaffiare il giardino'.
Using 'ma' instead of 'che' or 'se non' to mean 'but'.
Expressions liées
Non avere alternative
synonymTo have no alternatives
Essere costretti
similarTo be forced
Non avere via d'uscita
idiomaticTo have no way out
Avere l'imbarazzo della scelta
contrastTo have too many choices
Senza via di scampo
specialized formWithout any escape
