JLPT N5 Grammar – The difference between “〜だけ” and “〜しか”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜だけ” and “〜しか”
2. 〜だけ
3. 〜しか
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments
Q: Are “〜だけ” and “〜しか” the same meaning?
A: Both expressions show a kind of “limitation,” but they differ in how the speaker sees that limitation — whether it is taken positively or negatively.
〜だけ (JLPT N5)
[Meaning]
①A positive or neutral limitation
②Used to express degree or amount
[Rule]
[N] Noun + だけ + Affirmative/Negative sentence
[Point]
Here, “positive” does not mean “feeling happy.”
It means that the speaker accepts the limitation as a fact.
[Examples]
わたしは肉だけ食べます。
I only eat meat.
⇒ The speaker states the fact that they eat only meat in a neutral, affirmative way.
わたしは肉だけ食べません。
I don’t eat meat exclusively.
⇒ The speaker states, in a neutral way, that they do not limit themselves to only eating meat.
ここにいるのはわたしだけです。
I am the only one here.
⇒ The speaker states the fact that they are alone, without a negative feeling.
〜しか (JLPT N5)
[Meaning]
①Used to show that the degree or amount is not enough
②A strong, limiting restriction
[Rule]
[N] Noun + しか + Negative sentence (no noun clause can follow)
[Point]
Here, “negative” does not mean “feeling sad” or “being unhappy.”
It means that the speaker sees the limitation as insufficient and believes there are no other options.
[Examples]
わたしは肉しか食べません。
I only eat meat.
⇒ This shows a strong restriction: “I eat nothing but meat.”
あと5分しかありません。
I only have 5 minutes left.
⇒ This shows that five minutes is not enough.
×ここにいるのはわたししかです。
⇒ This usage is not possible.
Let’s Compare
Here, let’s first compare “〜だけ” and “〜しか” by looking at the difference in meaning.
① Difference in meaning
Situation: There is meat, salad, and rice.
[Examples]
わたしは肉だけ食べます。
I eat only meat.
⇒ There is a limitation, but the expression is neutral or affirmative. The speaker simply states the choice of eating meat.
わたしは肉だけ食べません。
I don’t eat only meat.
⇒ The speaker does not eat meat, but eats rice and salad. This sentence states the fact that the speaker does not eat meat.
わたしは肉しか食べません。
I only eat meat.
⇒ There are no other options, and the restriction is strong. This expresses a negative limitation meaning “I eat nothing but meat.”
② Difference in feeling
Next, let’s look at the difference in feeling.
[Examples]
「やった！さいふに100円だけあった！」
Great! There was 100 yen in my wallet!
「えー．．．どうしよう。さいふに100円しかない。」
Oh no… What should I do? I only have 100 yen in my wallet.
As you can see, even with the same amount of 100 yen, the speaker uses “〜だけ” when they feel positive about it, and “〜しか” when they feel it is not enough.
Let’s look at another example.
[Examples]
わたしはひらがなだけ書けます。
I can only write in hiragana.
わたしはひらがなしか書けません。
I can’t write anything except hiragana.
With “〜だけ,” the speaker focuses on what they can do.
With “〜しか,” the speaker expresses a negative feeling that “hiragana alone is not enough.”
③ Difference in degree and amount
Next, let’s focus on the difference in degree and amount.
[Examples]
コーヒーを1日2杯だけ飲みます。
I drink two cups of coffee a day.
⇒ Because “〜だけ” can be used to express degree or amount, this expression is possible. It means that the speaker drinks water or alcohol as well, but drinks two cups of coffee in a day.
コーヒーを1日2杯しか飲みません。
I only drink two cups of coffee a day.
⇒ In this expression, a limitation applies to the whole sentence. It shows that the speaker feels that two cups a day is not enough, or that the amount is small.
In addition, unlike “〜のみ,” “〜だけ” can be used to show degree or amount by using “noun + だけ” without finishing the sentence. However, in this case, it is used with a negative meaning, so be careful.
[Examples]
母：今日の晩ご飯は、ステーキだよ。
子ども：え、ステーキだけ！？
Mother: We are having steak for dinner.
Child: Huh, just steak!?
In this case, the meaning is closer to “Is there only steak?”
Note: “ステーキしか!?” cannot be used.
Summary
[〜だけ]
- Used in a positive or neutral way, and can express a limitation in degree or amount.
- When used as “noun + だけ,” it can have a negative nuance.
[〜しか]
- Used together with a negative form to limit things or quantities.
- It expresses the feeling that the amount or situation is not enough.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A.だけ
朝はコーヒーだけ飲みます。
In the morning, I only drink coffee.
*Since the following sentence is affirmative, “だけ” is the correct answer.
A. しか
パーティーに行ったけど4人しかいませんでした。
I went to the party, but there were only four people.
*Since the following sentence is negative and implies that no one else came except for the four people, “しか” is appropriate.
A. だけ
これだけあれば十分だよ。
This is enough just by itself.
*Since positive expressions continue after, “だけ” is the correct answer.
A. しか
妹はいつもおかし（だけ・しか）食べません。
My sister only eats sweets.
*Since a negative sentence follows, “しか” is the correct answer.
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