BackGrammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 23
Structure of しか～ない:
Noun + しか + Verb［ない］
Details 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.
しか～ない
Usage Notes for しか～ない:
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 for しか～ない:
だけ
Only, Just
を余儀なくされる
To be forced to do something
Number + しか〜ない
No more than, Not exceeding, As few as・as little as, Only
でしかない
Merely, Nothing but, No more than
しかない
Have no choice but, Only, Just
にほかならない
Nothing but, None other than, Simply
ばかり
Just, Only, Nothing but
だらけ
Completely covered in, Full of
だけしか
To emphasize '~only', Nothing but
きり
Only, Just, Since
をおいてほかに〜ない
No...but, Nothing else but, None other than
Example of しか～ない
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.
「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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