しか～ない (There's only)

There's only, Nothing but

JLPT N4
Pattern

Noun + しか + negative

How it works

しか + negative means “nothing but / only”, stressing that there's nothing else. しか replaces が and を: 水しか飲まない (I only drink water).

Examples

  • 水しか 飲みません。I only drink water.
  • この 店は 日曜日しか あいて いません。This shop is only open on Sundays.

Related grammar

Further reading

Bunpro N4 · Lesson 8

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