〜だけ "only / just"
dake
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N5, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
Limits to a quantity or thing (neutral tone).
だけ means "only / just" in a neutral way: 学生が一人だけいます = there is only one student (a plain fact). It follows nouns and numbers (日曜日だけ, 一人だけ), verbs (見るだけ), and adjectives. だけ can replace が and を, or come before other particles (先生にだけ = only to the teacher). Unlike しか〜ない, it does not suggest that the amount is too little.
Stating limits and exceptions plainly: only on Sundays, just looking, only for members. Used everywhere. When you want to complain that something is not enough, switch to しか〜ない. できるだけ (as much as possible) is a set phrase.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun / number + だけ: 一人だけ, 日曜日だけV-plain + だけ: 見るだけ, 見ただけい-adjective + だけ: 安いだけな-adjective + なだけ: 便利なだけParticles: だけが / だけを (or だけ alone), にだけ / とだけ
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Predicate | Feeling | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| だけ | affirmative or negative | neutral: simply 'only' | 百円だけある |
| しか〜ない | always negative | not enough / less than expected | 百円しかない |
| ばかり | affirmative | too much of one thing (critical) | お菓子ばかり食べる |
Natural examples
教室には学生が一人だけいます。
きょうしつには がくせいが ひとりだけ います。
There is only one student in the classroom.
Number + だけ: a neutral count.
見るだけで、買いません。
みるだけで、かいません。
I'm just looking, not buying.
V-dictionary + だけで: just looking, nothing more.
日曜日だけ休みです。
にちようびだけ やすみです。
Only Sunday is a day off.
Noun + だけ replacing が.
この店は会員だけ入れます。
このみせは かいいんだけ はいれます。
Only members can enter this shop.
だけ replaces が on the subject.
分からないときは、できるだけ早く先生に聞いてください。
わからないときは、できるだけ はやく せんせいに きいてください。
When you don't understand, ask the teacher as soon as possible.
できるだけ = as … as possible.
Similar grammar and the difference
しか needs a negative verb and implies insufficiency. だけ is neutral. Compare side by side
ばかり means "nothing but" with a critical tone. だけ simply limits. Compare side by side
Looks similar but means "just did"; unrelated to "only". Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 財布に百円だけしかない。
- ✓
- 財布に百円しかない。/ 百円だけある。
- Why
- Do not stack だけ and しか; choose one.
- ✗
- 便利だけの店
- ✓
- 便利なだけの店
- Why
- な-adjectives take な before だけ.
- ✗
- 先生だけに言った。(meaning "said it only to the teacher", where にだけ is intended)
- ✓
- 先生にだけ言った。
- Why
- Both orders exist, but にだけ clearly limits the receiver; だけに can also mean "precisely because" at N2, so the N4 answer is にだけ.
だけ after a number is the plain way to count a limit: 二つだけ買った. V + だけで = "just by doing": 見るだけで分かる (you can tell just by looking). だけじゃなく〜も (not only… but also) is a common extension.
JLPT N4 tips
On the exam
- If the verb after the blank is affirmative, しか is impossible; choose だけ. If it is negative and the meaning is "only", choose しか.
- だけ + で (見るだけで) and できるだけ are frequent set-phrase items.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜だけ "only / just" mean?
Limits to a quantity or thing (neutral tone). だけ means "only / just" in a neutral way: 学生が一人だけいます = there is only one student (a plain fact). It follows nouns and numbers (日曜日だけ, 一人だけ), verbs (見るだけ), and adjectives. だけ can replace が and を, or come before other particles (先生にだけ = only to the teacher). Unlike しか〜ない, it does not suggest that the amount is too little.
How do you form 〜だけ "only / just"?
Noun / number + だけ: 一人だけ, 日曜日だけ / V-plain + だけ: 見るだけ, 見ただけ / い-adjective + だけ: 安いだけ / な-adjective + なだけ: 便利なだけ / Particles: だけが / だけを (or だけ alone), にだけ / とだけ. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜だけ "only / just" used?
Stating limits and exceptions plainly: only on Sundays, just looking, only for members. Used everywhere. When you want to complain that something is not enough, switch to しか〜ない. できるだけ (as much as possible) is a set phrase.
What is the difference between 〜だけ "only / just" and 〜しか〜ない?
しか needs a negative verb and implies insufficiency. だけ is neutral.
What is the difference between 〜だけ "only / just" and 〜ばかり?
ばかり means "nothing but" with a critical tone. だけ simply limits.
What is a common mistake with 〜だけ "only / just"?
Wrong: 財布に百円だけしかない。 Right: 財布に百円しかない。/ 百円だけある。 Do not stack だけ and しか; choose one.
Quick check
この教室には学生が三人（ ）います。