GrammarJLPT N5
only
Particle

Also written as 〜許り

Definitions

  1. 1. only
  2. 2. merely
  3. 3. approximately
  4. 4. just (finished, etc.)
This grammatical suffix attaches to verbs, nouns, or other forms to indicate doing nothing but a certain action, or that something is limited to just one thing. It often carries a slightly negative nuance, suggesting excess or exclusivity, similar to "nothing but" or "only."

Grammar

Grammar lesson content not found for this point.

Example sentences

Sentence 1

She just kept smiling the whole time.

Sentence 2

I literally just slept all day.

Sentence 3

My mom got mad, saying "You're never home — always working."

Sentence 4

She never stops smiling — it's kind of unsettling.

Sentence 5

Are you seriously still going on about the same thing?