BackGrammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 15
Structure of (Number) + しか〜ない:
Number + しか + Verb［ない］
Details 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.
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.
- 今日は5キロしか走れない。I can only run 5 km today.
- 今日は100円しか持っていない。I have nothing but 100 yen on me.
- 今日はたくさんの宿題があるから2時間しか遊べない。I have a lot of homework today, so I can only hang out for 2 hours.
(Number) + しか〜ない
Usage Notes for (Number) + しか〜ない:
Synonyms for (Number) + しか〜ない:
しか～ない
There's only, Nothing but
Example of (Number) + しか〜ない
お金持ちなのに現金は1000円しか持っていない。
Even though (they) are rich, (they) have no more than 1000 yen in cash.
彼女にはまだ1回しか会っていない。
I have met her no more than once.
計画書は1枚しか提出できない。
You can submit only one plan.
髪の毛が3本しか生えていない。
He has no more than three hairs on his head.
一ヶ月しか期間がないのに、あなたは変われるの？
You only have (the period of) one month. Can you change?
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