Number + しか〜ない (No more than)

No more than, Not exceeding, As few as・as little as, Only

JLPT N4
Pattern

Number + しか + negative

How it works

しか + negative after a number means “only”, with a feeling that it's not enough: 千円しかない (I only have ¥1,000). だけ is neutral by comparison.

Examples

  • さいふに 500円しか ありません。I've only got ¥500 in my wallet.
  • きのうは 3時間しか ねて いません。I only slept three hours last night.

Related grammar

Further reading

Bunpro N4 · Lesson 5

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