Translation guide
The English word "only" is used to express limitation, exclusivity, or a single instance. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various particles, adverbs, and phrases depending on nuance, such as exclusivity, insufficiency, or temporal limitation.
Expressing that something is limited to a particular thing, person, or amount, with the nuance of 'nothing/nobody else'.
The most neutral and common way to say 'only'. It simply limits the preceding noun, verb, or adjective.
Only I know.
I only want to drink water.
Used with a negative verb to mean 'only' or 'nothing but'. It emphasizes the limitation more strongly than だけ, often implying insufficiency or that there is no other choice.
Always followed by a negative verb form. Using a positive verb with しか is incorrect.
I only have 100 yen.
Only he came. (No one else came.)
Often translated as 'only' or 'nothing but', but it implies an excessive or exclusive focus on one thing, often with a negative connotation of 'always doing that' or 'full of'.
He does nothing but complain.
I eat nothing but sweets.
A formal, written equivalent of だけ. Often used in official documents, signs, or literary contexts.
This facility may be used by authorized personnel only.
Expressing that an amount, degree, or action is minimal or insufficient, similar to 'just' or 'merely'.
Used before a number or amount to emphasize how small it is. Often paired with だけ or しか.
Only one person came.
I have only a mere 100 yen.
Means 'only' or 'a mere' and emphasizes a small quantity or degree. Slightly more formal than たった.
Means 'just' or 'only a little', often used with words like 少し (a little) or ちょっと (a bit).
Indicating that something happened very recently, equivalent to 'just' or 'only just'.
Literally 'just now', used for actions that occurred moments ago.
I just arrived.
Attached to the past tense of a verb to mean 'just did something'. It emphasizes that the action was completed only a short time ago.
I just ate.
Expressing that something will happen or is allowed only under a certain condition.
Used to say 'only when/after...' or 'not until...'. It emphasizes that something becomes possible or is realized only after a certain condition is met.
Only after getting sick did I realize the importance of health.
Means 'as long as' or 'only if'. It sets a condition that must be met for something to hold true.
You are safe only as long as you are here.
Emphasizing that someone does nothing but a particular action, or that something consists solely of one thing.
Used to criticize or describe someone who is always doing something (often negative). It means 'does nothing but...'.
He does nothing but play.
Indicates that a situation is only moving in one direction, often worsening. Means 'only continues to...' or 'keeps on...'.
Prices only keep going up.
Expanding beyond a single item to include others, equivalent to 'not only... but also'.
Means 'not only... but also'. It is used to add information, often followed by も.
He can speak not only English but also Chinese.
Similar to だけでなく, but slightly more formal or emphatic. Also means 'not only... but also'.
He is good not only at studying but also at sports.
Both mean 'only', but だけ is used with positive verbs and is neutral, while しか is used with negative verbs and emphasizes limitation or insufficiency. しか often carries a nuance of 'not enough' or 'nothing else'.
English often uses 'only' as an adverb before verbs (e.g., 'I only eat fish'). In Japanese, this is usually expressed with particles like だけ or しか attached to the noun, not with a standalone adverb. Placing だけ after the verb (e.g., 食べるだけ) changes the meaning to 'just eating' or 'all you do is eat'.
I arrived in only three minutes.
Just a little, please.
I've only just come to Japan.