N2Grammar

だけは

To do all that one can, As much or many ~ as one could

Structure

Verb + だけは + Verb［た］^(*)
Verb + だけは + Verb［ている］^(*)

^(*) The same Verb has to be repeated

Explanation

だけは is another Japanese grammar pattern built around the particle だけ, which means 'only' or 'just'. In this construction, だけ is combined with the topic marker は to highlight a specific action, expressing that this action has been carried out to its fullest possible extent. The same verb is used twice, sandwiching だけは, and the second instance of the verb is typically in its past or ている form.

For instance, if we consider the verb 寝(ね)る 'to sleep', a phrase like 寝(ね)るだけは寝(ね)た would literally translate to something like 'I slept just the sleeping I could sleep'. As this grammar often conveys capability, the first verb frequently appears in its potential form, using れる or られる.

食(た)べ放題(ほうだい)だったので、食(た)べられるだけは食(た)べた。
It was an all-you-can-eat buffet, so I ate as much as I possibly could.
切手(きって)を集(あつ)められるだけは集(あつ)めたが、もう部屋(へや)がいっぱいだ。
I collected as many stamps as I could, but now my room is completely full.
手伝(てつだ)うだけは手伝(てつだ)っているけど、本当(ほんとう)に役(やく)に立(た)っているか分(わ)からない。
I'm helping out as much as I'm able, but I don't know if I'm actually being useful.
毎日(まいにち)ギターを練習(れんしゅう)するだけはしているが、うまくならない気(き)がする。
I practice the guitar every day as much as I can, but I feel like I'm not improving.

Caution

You will also frequently encounter a variation where する is omitted before だけは and only appears after it. In this structure, the verb is generally not repeated after the grammar point.

準備(じゅんび)だけはしたが、まだプレゼンが心配(しんぱい)だ。
I did all the preparation I could, but I'm still worried about the presentation.
何回(なんかい)も謝罪(しゃざい)だけはしているが、彼女(かのじょ)はまだ許(ゆる)してくれない。
I've been apologizing as much as I possibly can, but she still won't forgive me.

Examples

なくした鍵(かぎ)を探(さが)すだけは探(さが)したんだ。どこにもないよ。

I searched for the lost key as much as I possibly could. It's nowhere to be found.

謝(あやま)るだけは謝(あやま)ったが、許(ゆる)してくれたかは分(わ)からない。

I apologized as best as I could, but I don't know if they've forgiven me.

部屋(へや)を掃除(そうじ)するだけはしたが、まだ散(ち)らかっているように見(み)える。

I cleaned the room as much as I could, but it still looks messy.

試験(しけん)のために読(よ)むだけは読(よ)んだが、内容(ないよう)が頭(あたま)に入(はい)ってこない。

For the test, I read as much as I could, but the content just isn't sticking in my head.

プレゼンの準備(じゅんび)をするだけはした。あとは本番(ほんばん)を待(ま)つだけだ。

I've prepared for the presentation as much as I possibly can. Now all that's left is to wait for the real thing.

部長(ぶちょう)に頼(たの)むだけは頼(たの)んでみたけど、多分(たぶん)ダメだろうな。

I tried asking the department head, at the very least, but I doubt it will be approved.

ゴールまで走(はし)るだけは走(はし)ったが、結局(けっきょく)ビリだった。

I ran to the finish line with everything I had, but I still ended up in last place.

寝(ね)られるだけは寝(ね)たのに、まだ眠(ねむ)い。

I slept as much as I could, but I'm still sleepy.

メールを確認(かくにん)するだけは確認(かくにん)したが、返信(へんしん)はまだしていない。

I checked my email, at least, but I haven't replied yet.

先生(せんせい)の説明(せつめい)を聞(き)くだけは聞(き)いたけど、さっぱり理解(りかい)できなかった。

I listened to the teacher's explanation as best I could, but I couldn't understand it at all.

薬(くすり)を飲(の)むだけは飲(の)んでいるが、風邪(かぜ)がなかなか治(なお)らない。

I'm taking the medicine as much as I'm supposed to, but my cold just won't get better.

レシピ通(どお)りに、水(みず)を入(い)れるだけは入(い)れた。これで合(あ)っているかな。

Following the recipe, I put in as much water as it said to. I wonder if this is right.