Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 5: 16/20

(Number) + しか〜ない

No more than, Not exceeding, As few as・as little as, Only

Structure

Number + しか + Verb［ない］

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About Number + 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 numbers.
To use this construction, the number that you want to express as being 'all that exists' will go before しか, then しか will be followed by a verb in its ない, or ありません form.
  • 今日(きょう)は5キロしか走(はし)れない。
    I can only run 5 km today.
  • 今日(きょう)は100円(えん)しか持(も)っていない。
    I have nothing but 100 yen on me.
  • 今日(きょう)はたくさんの宿題(しゅくだい)があるから2時間(じかん)しか遊(あそ)べない。
    I have a lot of homework today, so I can only hang out for 2 hours.
Fun Fact
The main difference between しか and だけ, is that だけ suggests that (A) was 'chosen' from among a group where several other choices exist. しか on the other hand, implies that there are no other choices, and (A) is the only possibility/thing that exists.
  • 冷蔵庫(れいぞうこ)の中(なか)には色々(いろいろ)な物(もの)が入(はい)っていたけど、リンゴだけを取(と)り出(だ)した。
    There were a lot of things in the refrigerator, but I just took out an apple.
  • 冷蔵庫(れいぞうこ)の中(なか)にはリンゴしかなかったから、リンゴを食(た)べた。
    Apples were all that was in the refrigerator, so I ate an apple.

Examples

  • お金持(かねも)ちなのに現金(げんきん)は1000円(えん)しか持(も)っていない。

    Even though (they) are rich, (they) have no more than 1000 yen in cash.

  • 彼女(かのじょ)にはまだ1回(かい)しか会(あ)っていない。

    I have met her no more than once.

  • 計画書(けいかくしょ)は1枚(まい)しか提出(ていしゅつ)できない。

    You can submit only one plan.

  • 髪(かみ)の毛(け)が3本(ぼん)しか生(は)えていない。

    He has no more than three hairs on his head.

  • 一(いっ)ヶ月(かげつ)しか期間(きかん)がないのに、あなたは変(か)われるの？

    You only have (the period of) one month. Can you change?

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

  • Online

  • Offline

    • Genki II 2nd Edition

      Page 58

  • Track Resources!

    Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.

Number + しか〜ない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • max99x

    max99x

    In this sentence:

    • 2回しか経験していないのに，自信満々だね。
      (You) have experienced (it) no more than twice, and yet (you) are brimming with confidence.

    Why is 経験する in the progressive form? The English translation to me suggests past.

  • Pushindawood

    Pushindawood

    @max99x Hey! ていない is often used to describe events or actions that did not happen/take place in the past. This is especially true for events/actions that occurred recently. Here is a great breakdown of the difference between ていません and ませんでした. Cheers!

Got questions about Number + しか〜ない? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion