Translation guide
Expresses the idea that something is sufficient or significant by itself, without anything else. In Japanese, this is typically conveyed using phrases like それだけで or それだけ, depending on the grammatical role.
The speaker wants to say that a particular thing, without any additions, is enough to cause a result, justify a feeling, or be noteworthy.
Used adverbially to mean 'with just that' or 'that alone is enough to...'. It often implies that the thing mentioned is sufficient to bring about a certain state or action.
その一言だけで十分だった。
That one word alone was enough.
His smile alone makes me happy.
Functions as a noun phrase meaning 'only that' or 'that much'. It can be used as the subject or object of a sentence, often with particles like が or を.
それだけが心配だ。
That alone worries me.
それだけを覚えておいてください。
Please remember just that.
A more literary or formal way to say 'that alone'. のみ is a classical particle equivalent to だけ, but it sounds stiff in casual speech.
それのみが真実だ。
That alone is the truth.
The speaker wants to single out one item as the only thing that matters or the only thing that is different, often in a context where other things are present.
Used to emphasize that 'at least that' or 'that one thing' is an exception. The particle は adds a contrastive nuance.
それだけはやめてください。
Please don't do that one thing.
それだけは確かだ。
That alone is certain.
Similar to それだけは, but with が it often marks the subject in a more neutral or exhaustive way, meaning 'that is the only thing that...'.
それだけが問題だ。
That alone is the problem.
The speaker wants to say that if only that thing exists or happens, it is enough, often in conditional sentences.
A common phrase meaning 'just that is fine' or 'that alone is enough'. It can be used to reassure someone or to state a simple requirement.
返事は「はい」だけでいいです。
Just 'yes' is enough for a reply.
それだけでいいから、早くして。
That alone is fine, so hurry up.
A conditional form meaning 'if you have just that'. It implies that nothing more is needed.
それだけあれば十分です。
If we have just that, it's enough.
Do not directly translate 'that alone' as あれ一人 or similar. The concept is expressed with それだけ or それだけで, where それ refers to 'that' and だけ means 'only' or 'alone'.
それだけで is adverbial and often connects to a verb or adjective, while それだけ is a noun phrase that can take particles. Use それだけで when saying 'with just that, something happens', and それだけ when 'that alone' is the subject or object.
それだけで泣けてくる。
That alone makes me cry.
それだけが欲しい。
I want only that.