しかない
Have no choice but, Only, Just
Structure
Explanation
The expression しかない is frequently used in Japanese and is always paired with a verb. It is formed by combining the adverbial particle しか with the い-Adjective ない. This grammar point translates to 'have no choice but to do (A)' or 'the only option is to do (A)'. しかない is used to stress that there are absolutely no other alternatives besides action (A).
To form this grammar point, you attach しかない directly to the dictionary form (non-past) of the verb you want to emphasize as being the single available action.
- 終電を逃したから、タクシーで帰るしかない。Since I missed the last train, my only option is to go home by taxi.
- パソコンが壊れてしまったので、新しいのを買うしかない。My computer broke, so I've got no choice but to buy a new one.
While だけ suggests that one option was chosen from a number of possibilities, しか conveys that (A) is the sole available option. This makes しかない sound much stronger and more restrictive than だけ. Because only one choice exists, the listener will typically infer that specific circumstances have made (A) the only thing that can be done.
- 冷蔵庫に卵とご飯しかない。チャーハンを作るしかないな。There's nothing but eggs and rice in the fridge. I guess I'll just have to make some fried rice.
- 明日は大事な試験だから、今夜は徹夜して勉強するしかない。I have a big test tomorrow, so I'll just have to stay up all night studying.
Fun Fact
In media like manga and anime where casual speech is common, しかない is sometimes contracted. In these instances, しか may be shortened to っきゃ, which creates the form っきゃない. This is a very colloquial abbreviation and is not generally used in standard daily conversation.
- もう時間がない！この一撃で決めるっきゃない！We're out of time! We have no choice but to settle this with one last attack!
- こんなすごいセールはめったにないよ。今、買うっきゃないでしょ！You don't see a sale this good very often. We've got to buy this now!
Examples
車が故障したので、電車で行くしかない。
My car broke down, so I have no choice but to go by train.
終電に乗り遅れたから、タクシーで帰るしかない。
I missed the last train, so I have no choice but to take a taxi home.
上手になりたいなら、たくさん練習するしかない。
If you want to get good, you have no choice but to practice a lot.
冷蔵庫に何もないから、外食するしかない。
There's nothing in the fridge, so we have no choice but to eat out.
他の店はみんな閉まっていたので、ここで買うしかなかった。
All the other shops were closed, so I had no choice but to buy it here.
パスポートをなくしたから、大使館に行くしかない。
I lost my passport, so I have no choice but to go to the embassy.
もう誰も助けてくれない。 自分でやるしかない。
No one will help me anymore. I have no choice but to do it myself.
給料日までまだ一週間あるから、節約するしかない。
It's still one week until payday, so I have no choice but to be frugal.
本当は寝たいけど、明日が締め切りなので、頑張るしかない。
I really want to sleep, but the deadline is tomorrow, so I have no choice but to push through.
彼がやったという証拠がないから、信じるしかない。
There's no proof that he did it, so we have no choice but to believe him.
エアコンが壊れた。この夏は扇風機で我慢するしかない。
The air conditioner broke. This summer, I'll have no choice but to make do with a fan.
やりたいことはたくさんあるけど、まずはお金を貯めるしかない。
だから、もっと働くしかないのだ。
There are many things I want to do, but first I have no choice but to save money.
Therefore, I have no choice but to work more.