のみOnly; solely (formal)
のみ formally limits something to the item, group, amount, fact, or action immediately before it. It means “only” or “solely” and is especially common in notices, rules, instructions, and formal writing.
What it limits
のみ normally applies to the expression directly before it. The rest of the sentence can be positive or negative as required; this particle does not force a negative ending.
Typical formal uses
These examples limit eligibility, a payment method, and a permitted quantity.
会員のみが資料室を利用できます。
Only members may use the reference room.
Analyzeが follows the complete limited phrase because that phrase is the subject.
お支払いはクレジットカードのみで承ります。
Payment is accepted by credit card only.
Analyzeで marks the permitted payment method and comes after the limiter.
購入はお一人様二点のみとします。
Purchases are limited to two items per person.
AnalyzeThe sentence formally sets a maximum quantity rather than merely describing what someone happens to buy.
Limiting an action
A plain verb can come before のみ. This often presents an action as the only thing required or the only thing left to do, and it has a distinctly formal tone.
The sole action
Formal versus everyday limitation
のみ and だけ share the basic meaning “only,” but the former is formal and written-leaning, while the latter is the normal neutral choice in everyday conversation.
今日は水だけにします。
I will just have water today.
AnalyzeThis is an ordinary conversational choice; using the formal limiter here would sound unnecessarily stiff without a special context.
More examples
入館できるのは事前登録者のみです。
Only those who registered in advance may enter.
Analyze本資料は社内のみで閲覧できます。
This document may be viewed only within the company.
Analyze一回の申請につき、添付できるファイルは五件のみです。
Only five files may be attached per application.
Analyze規定の条件を満たした場合のみ、返金を受けられます。
A refund is available only when the specified conditions have been met.
Analyze結果は登録されたメールアドレスのみに通知します。
The result will be sent only to the registered email address.
Analyzeこの区域では閲覧のみを許可し、複製は認めません。
In this area, viewing alone is permitted; reproduction is not allowed.
Analyze