GrammarJLPT N5
→ nothing but
Nothing but / Only (with negative emphasis)
JLPT N5Compound particleNeutral
しか～ない is used to express that there is nothing but a certain thing, amount, or action — meaning "only" with an inherent sense of limitation or insufficiency. Unlike だけ, which neutrally states "only" or "just," しか～ない always requires a negative verb ending (ない) and carries the speaker's nuance that the amount or option is less than expected, desired, or ideal. The particle しか replaces particles like が and を, but it can follow other particles such as に, で, and と. Because of its inherently restrictive and slightly negative tone, しか～ない is commonly used when the speaker wants to emphasize that something is insufficient or that no other option exists. For example, saying 「百円しかない」 implies that having only 100 yen is not enough, whereas 「百円だけある」 simply states the fact without that emotional weight.
Examples
Example #1
お金が 五百円しかない。
Here しか～ない is used with a specific amount to emphasize that 500 yen is all the speaker has, and it feels insufficient. The particle が before 五百円 is natural because しか replaces the を that would follow a direct object, but in this sentence the subject marker が remains on お金. The negative ない is grammatically required whenever しか is used, even though the English translation uses the positive word "have."I only have 500 yen. (And that's not enough.)
Structures
- Noun (replacing が/を)
- Noun + しか + Verb (ない form)
- Noun + other particle
- Noun + Particle (に/で/と/etc.) + しか + Verb (ない form)
- Quantity / Number
- Number/Counter + しか + Verb (ない form)
Common mistakes
A very common mistake is forgetting that しか always requires a negative verb form — writing or saying 「三つしかある」 instead of the correct 「三つしかない」. Another frequent error is confusing しか～ない with だけ; while both can translate as "only," しか～ない implies insufficiency or limitation, so using it in a positive or neutral context sounds unnatural. Learners also sometimes add を or が before しか, producing incorrect phrases like 「水をしかない」 instead of 「水しかない」. Remember that しか replaces が and を but follows other particles like に, で, and と.
Related
だけばかりのみしかない (have no choice but)ほかないきり