しか～ない
There's only, Nothing but
Structure
Explanation
The adverbial particle しか is often linked with だけ, as it also conveys the meaning of 'only'. However, a key distinction is that しか must always be used in conjunction with a negative statement. Consequently, the pattern しか～ない is frequently translated as 'there is only (A)' or 'nothing but (A) exists'. しか～ない can be used with both numbers and nouns. In this lesson, we will concentrate on its usage with nouns.
Similar to the structure used for quantities, when this expression follows a noun, it highlights that absolutely nothing else besides that specific 'thing' is present. Any verb can be paired with しか, but that verb must be conjugated into its ない (or ありません) form.
- 冷蔵庫には卵が一個しか残っていない。There is only one egg left in the refrigerator.
- この喫茶店はコーヒーしか売っていない。This coffee shop only sells coffee.
- 千円しか持っていないと、何も買えない。If you only have 1000 yen, you can't buy anything.
Caution
When しかない appears immediately after a verb, the meaning changes slightly to express that 'there is no alternative but to do (A)'. This is a separate grammar point that we will explore in a later lesson.
- 終電に間に合わなかったので、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.
Examples
この辺には駐車場がここしかありません。
This is the only parking lot around here.
怪我をしているので、柔らかいものしか食べられない。
Because of my injury, I can only eat soft food.
うちの猫はこのエサしか食べない。
My cat will only eat this brand of food.
この時間は、あのコンビニしか開いていないんですよ。
At this hour, only that convenience store is open.
財布に千円しか入っていない。
I only have 1000 yen in my wallet.
荷物は一つしか持てません。
I can only carry one piece of luggage.
もうこの方法しかないね。
It looks like this is the only way.
このチャンスは今しかないよ！
This chance is now or never!
インスタントコーヒーしかないけど、飲みますか。
I only have instant coffee, but would you like some?
こんな美しい景色は、ここからしか見られない。
A beautiful view like this can only be seen from here.
試験では半分しか答えられなかったので、がっかりしました。
I was disappointed because I was only able to answer half the questions on the exam.
電池がもう1パーセントしかないから、充電しないと。
My battery is only at 1 percent, so I have to charge it.