しか〜ない — Only this, nothing else | JLPT N4 grammar

Meaning

Shows that there is nothing except what is mentioned. It is always followed by a negative form.

20 sentences

12 more examples

彼かれは野菜やさいしか食べませんたべません
He only eats vegetables.
このバスは平日へいじつしか走りませんはしりません
This bus only runs on weekdays.
鍵かぎしか持っもっていません
I only have my key with me.
この本ほんはこの店みせでしか買えかえません
You can only buy this book at this shop.
友達ともだちとは週末しゅうまつにしか会えあえません
I can only see my friend on weekends.
この犬いぬは私わたしとしか散歩さんぽしません
This dog only goes for walks with me.
パーティーには三人さんにんしか来きませんでした
Only three people came to the party.
バスがないので歩いあるいて帰るかえるしかありません
There are no buses, so I have no choice but to walk home.
日本にほんでは東京とうきょうにしか行っいったことがありません
In Japan, I have only been to Tokyo.
私わたしはまだひらがなしか読めよめません
I can only read hiragana so far.
日本語にほんごは少しすこししか分かりわかりません
I only understand a little Japanese.
このドアは中なかからしか開きあきません
This door only opens from the inside.

The predicate must be negative in this construction; 百円しかある is not its affirmative counterpart.

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: 彼かれは野菜やさいしか食べませんたべません He only eats vegetables.I just ate lunch.He drank too much.
Sentence 2: パーティーには三人さんにんしか来きませんでした The puppy that just came to our home does nothing but sleep.Only three people came to the party.This bag is too expensive.
Sentence 3: このドアは中なかからしか開きあきません This problem is too difficult.This door only opens from the inside.This bread has just been baked and is still warm.

The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.