Structure
Noun + しか + Verb［ない］
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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.
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.
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Examples
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座るところがここしかありません。
There is nowhere else to sit but here.
遠いので、車で行くことしか出来ない。
Because it is far away, you can only go by car.
「はい」と「いいえ」しか言わない人とは話しにくい。
It is difficult to talk to people who only respond with 'yes' and 'no'.
すみませんが、午後しか空いていないみたいです。
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.
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How to use しか & だけ
MaggieSensei
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[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 37
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 398
Marugoto Elementary 2 (A2) Rikai
Page 91
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 247
みんなの日本語 II
Page 18 [CH 27]
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