だけOnly; just

だけ marks the person, thing, amount, action, or quality immediately before it as the only relevant one. It usually gives a neutral boundary: “only” or “just.”

What can be limited

The expression directly before だけ is the one being limited.

私わたしだけが答こたえを知しっています。

I am the only one who knows the answer.

Analyze

This limits the person who knows.

水みずを一いっ杯ぱいだけ飲のみました。

I drank only one glass of water.

Analyze

This limits the amount.

名な前まえを書かくだけです。

All you have to do is write your name.

Analyze

Literally: It is only writing your name.

This limits the required action.

Position changes the limit

Place だけ immediately after exactly what you mean by “only.” Compare the noun and the quantity below.

私わたしはコーヒーだけを飲のみました。

I drank only coffee.

Analyze

The drink is limited to coffee.

私わたしはコーヒーを一いっ杯ぱいだけ飲のみました。

I drank only one cup of coffee.

Analyze

The amount is limited to one cup.

Particles after the limit

Do not assume that だけ automatically replaces every other particle. If a particle is needed to show a role such as subject, object, recipient, place, or means, it can follow the complete limited expression.

先せん生せいだけに相そう談だんしました。

I consulted only the teacher.

Analyze

The recipient marker comes after the limited person.