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JLPT N3 Neutral

～dake shika

Emphasizes the scarcity or insufficiency of something; 'only', 'nothing but'.

Combines だけ+しか for extra emphasis on the restriction - "only, and nothing else".

Formation

Explanation

The ～だけしか grammar point is used to emphasize that there is nothing except what is mentioned, and it requires a negative verb. It can be translated as 'only' or 'nothing but' in English.

Example sentences

  • Today, I could study for only one hour.

    Kyou wa ichijikan dake shika benkyou dekinakatta.

  • He eats only curry.

    Kare wa karee dake shika tabenai.

  • Tanaka only invited five people.

    Tanaka-san wa gonin dake shika shoutai shinakatta.

  • That restaurant sells only vegetables.

    Ano resutoran de wa yasai dake shika utte inai.

Exclusivity (Only / Nothing But)