Translation guide
Expresses that something is limited to a certain amount or degree, and not beyond it. Common in Japanese with patterns like だけ, しか～ない, or にすぎない.
To say that something is only a certain amount, number, or degree, and nothing more.
Attaches to nouns, quantities, or clauses to mean 'only' or 'just'. Neutral and widely used.
りんごを三つだけ買った。
I bought only three apples.
彼はそれだけしか知らない。
He knows no more than that.
To say that something is only to a certain degree, not more.
Also used with adjectives or verbs to limit degree. 'Only as much as'.
必要なだけ取りなさい。
Take no more than you need.
Used in comparisons to mean 'not as much as' or 'no more than'. Often with くらい/ぐらい.
To respond that there is nothing more to say or add.
Polite way to say 'That's all' or 'No more than that'.
以上ですか？ はい、それだけです。
Is that all? Yes, that's all.
Both mean 'only', but だけ is neutral while しか〜ない often implies the amount is less than expected or insufficient. だけ can be used in positive sentences, しか〜ない requires a negative verb.
水だけ飲んだ。
I only drank water. (neutral)
水しか飲まなかった。
I drank nothing but water. (maybe I wanted something else)
Avoid directly translating 'no more than that' word-for-word. Use the patterns above depending on context. For example, 'それ以上ではない' is not natural for most cases.
Used with a negative verb to mean 'only' or 'no more than'. Emphasizes limitation, often with a nuance of insufficiency.
お金が千円しかない。
I have no more than 1000 yen.
彼はそれしか言わなかった。
He said no more than that.
Formal/literary pattern meaning 'no more than' or 'merely'. Often used to downplay something.
それは単なる噂にすぎない。
That is no more than a rumor.
Emphatic combination of だけ and しか〜ない, meaning 'only' or 'no more than'. Stronger limitation nuance.
それだけしか残ってないよ。
There's no more than that left.
彼はそれほど背が高くない。
He is no taller than that.
Casual version of それだけです.
他に何か？ いや、それだけ。
Anything else? No, that's all.