JLPT N5 Neutral

〜dake

Indicates 'only', 'just', or 'merely'.

Simple, neutral "only/just" - the everyday default for stating a plain restriction.

Formation

Explanation

The Noun だけ grammar point is used to emphasize the idea of 'only', 'just', or 'merely' in a sentence. It can be attached to nouns, verbs, い-adjectives, and な-adjectives to show this emphasis. This grammar point is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese.

Example sentences

  • I only drank coffee and went home.

    Koohii dake nonde, kaerimashita.

  • I only read twenty pages of this book.

    Kono hon wa nijuu peeji dake yonda.

  • She is very fast, not only at running but also at thinking.

    Kanojo wa totemo hayai desu ga, hashiru dake denaku, kangaeru no mo hayai desu.

  • This room is a place only for sleeping.

    Kono heya wa neru dake no basho desu.

Exclusivity (Only / Nothing But)