Structure
Noun + しか + Verb［ない］
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一般
About しか～ない
The adverbial particle しか is often compared to だけ, in that it also expresses 'only'. However, unlike だけ, しか can only be used in negative statements. Due to this, しか～ない is regularly translated as 'there's only (A)', or 'there's nothing but (A)'. しか～ない may be used to express numbers, or nouns. In this lesson we will examine nouns.
Like しか～ない, the construction used for expressing numbers, when used before a noun, this expression will mean that nothing apart from that one 'thing' exists. Any verb may be used after しか, but it must be in its ない (or ありません) form.
Like しか～ない, the construction used for expressing numbers, when used before a noun, this expression will mean that nothing apart from that one 'thing' exists. Any verb may be used after しか, but it must be in its ない (or ありません) form.
- 犯人はまだ3人しか捕まっていない。Only 3 of the criminals have been caught so far.
- この店は牛丼しか置いていない。This store only has gyudon.
- 釣りに行って、一匹しか釣れないと悲しくなる。I get sad when I go fishing and only catch one fish.
Caution
when しかない directly follows a verb, the translation is a little bit different, and means that 'nothing apart from (A) can be done'. This is a separate grammar point that we will study a bit later.- 明日から雨が降るから、今日に行くしかない。Since it will start raining tomorrow, we have no choice but to go today.
Synonyms
だけ
Only, Just
Not studied yet
を余儀なくされる
To be forced to do something
Not studied yet
Number + しか〜ない
No more than, Not exceeding, As few as・as little as, Only
Not studied yet
でしかない
Merely, Nothing but, No more than
Not studied yet
しかない
Have no choice but, Only, Just
Not studied yet
にほかならない
Nothing but, None other than, Simply
Not studied yet
ばかり
Just, Only, Nothing but
Not studied yet
だらけ
Completely covered in, Full of
Not studied yet
だけしか
To emphasize '~only', Nothing but
Not studied yet
きり
Only, Just, Since
Not studied yet
をおいてほかに〜ない
No...but, Nothing else but, None other than
Not studied yet
Examples
遠いので、車で行くことしかできない。
Because it is far away, you can only go by car.
Since Verb→Noun + しかない implies inability, using の as a nominalizer cannot work here.
「はい」と「いいえ」しか言わない人と話しにくい。
It is difficult to talk to people who only respond with 'yes' and 'no'.
すみませんが、午後しか空いてないみたいです。
I am sorry, but it looks like there is only space open in the afternoon.
冷蔵庫に牛乳しか残っていない。
There is nothing but milk in the fridge.
手袋を一枚しか見つけられない。
I can only find one glove.
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How to use しか & だけ
MaggieSensei
Offline
みんなの日本語 II
Page 18 [CH 27]
Marugoto Elementary 2 (A2) Rikai
Page 91
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 398
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 247
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 37
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しか～ない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (11 in total)
Daru
Because the clause does not affect you actually living there or not, but it does affect the decision of doing so. And since it’s a yes-or-no decision, it can only be positive or negative, not declaring a continuous state.
Hope this helps!
CrisH
Right, I see! Thanks
NearlyRemy
I’m a little confused about the comment added to the translation of this sentence:
遠いので、車で行くことしかできない。
Because it is far away, you can only go by car.
[Since Verb→Noun + しかない implies inability, using の as a nominalizer cannot work here]I’m not sure how の acts differently here, it’s probably a misunderstanding on my part regarding the difference between the two, but at my current level of understanding I translate both options as “you can only go by car”
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