Core Function
しか means "only" but must use negative verb - implies limitation/insufficiency.
Main Use
Only (with negative implication):
これしかない
"there's only this" (nothing else)
千円しかない
"have only 1000 yen" (not enough)
日本語しか分からない
"understand only Japanese" (can't understand others)
Key: Always negative verb + implies insufficiency.
Replaces を/が
水しか飲まない
"drink only water" (nothing else)
一つしかない
"there's only one"
Common Patterns
[Noun]しか[Negative verb]
お金しかない - "only have money"
[Number]しか[Negative]
三つしかない - "there's only three"
しか vs だけ
だけ = neutral
水だけ飲む - "drink only water" (choice)
しか = insufficient
水しか飲まない - "drink only water" (can't/won't drink others)
Key Takeaways
✓ Must use negative verb
✓ Implies insufficiency
✓ "Only" with limitation nuance
✓ Different from だけ (neutral)
Related: