Translation guide
Expresses exclusivity or limitation, meaning 'only' or 'nothing except'. The most common Japanese equivalent is だけ (dake), but other patterns like しか…ない (shika…nai) and ばかり (bakari) are used depending on nuance and sentence structure.
To express that something is limited to a particular thing, amount, or action, meaning 'only' or 'nothing but'.
A particle meaning 'only' or 'just'. It attaches directly to nouns, verbs, or adjectives. It is neutral and widely used.
Just water, please.
He did nothing but laugh.
A construction meaning 'nothing but' or 'only', but with a negative verb. It emphasizes scarcity or insufficiency more than だけ. しか replaces particles like が or を.
There is nothing but water.
He could do nothing but laugh.
Means 'nothing but' or 'only', often implying an excessive or exclusive focus on one thing. Can carry a negative nuance of 'always doing nothing but...'.
He does nothing but complain.
I eat nothing but sweets.
A formal expression meaning 'nothing more than' or 'merely'. Used to downplay something. Often found in written or formal speech.
That is nothing but a rumor.
To emphasize that there is absolutely nothing else, often in negative contexts.
Means 'nothing' or 'not anything'. Used with negative verbs to express complete absence.
There is nothing but emptiness in the fridge. (lit. There is nothing in the fridge.)
Means 'not at all' or 'absolutely nothing'. Used for strong emphasis.
He has nothing but disinterest. (lit. He has absolutely no interest.)
だけ is a neutral 'only', while しか…ない emphasizes that the amount is less than expected or insufficient. しか…ない always requires a negative verb form.
I have only 100 yen. (neutral)
I have nothing but 100 yen. (emphasizing lack)
Do not translate 'nothing but' word-for-word as 何もないが (nani mo nai ga) or 無だけ (mu dake). Use the patterns above.