JLPT N5 grammar

〜しか〜ないmeaning and usage

Meaning

Aしか〜ない means “only A” or “nothing other than A.” しか requires a negative predicate.

This point is also listed at N3 · N2.

How to form it

  • nounしかverb (nai-form)
  • number + counterしかverb (nai-form)
  • nounに/で/からしかverb (nai-form)

How it is used

Means “only” but needs a negative verb, and often implies “not enough”; 「だけ」 takes an affirmative and sounds neutral. 「が」 and 「を」 drop before 「しか」: 「水しかない」 (there's only water).

Examples

  1. すみませんが、日本語の名刺しか持っていないんですけど。

    Sorry, I only have a business card in Japanese…

  2. 財布に千円しかありません。

    I only have a thousand yen in my wallet.

  3. 朝はコーヒーしか飲みません。

    In the morning I drink nothing but coffee.