Only...Not: しか〜ない

Use しか with a negative predicate to express “only” with stronger emphasis than だけ.

Use noun + しか + negative verb or adjective.Understand the stronger, often limiting tone of しか〜ない.Compare しか〜ない with the more neutral だけ.

Guided study

The basic pattern

しか is followed by a negative predicate. Together, the pattern means “only” or “nothing but”. It often emphasizes small quantity, limited choice, or disappointment.

百円しかありません。

I only have one hundred yen.

日曜日しか休みがありません。

I only have Sundays off.

これしか分かりません。

This is all I understand.

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