〜しか〜ない "nothing but / only (with a negative)"
shika ~nai
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N5 and JLPT N3, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
"Only", with the nuance that the amount is less than expected or insufficient.
しか + negative verb means "only", with the feeling that it is not enough: 財布に百円しかない = I have only 100 yen (and that's too little). Even though the meaning is positive ("there IS 100 yen"), the verb must be negative. しか replaces が and を (野菜しか食べない) and comes after other particles (現金でしか, 先生にしか).
Complaining or stressing a small amount, number or range: only one person came, only cash accepted, you can only buy it here. Everyday speech and writing at all politeness levels. If you just want to state a limit without any "too little" feeling, use だけ.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + しか + negative: 百円しかない, 野菜しか食べないしか replaces が / をOther particles + しか: にしか, でしか, としか, からしかV-dictionary + しかない = have no choice but to (歩くしかない)
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Predicate | Feeling | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| だけ | affirmative (or negative) | neutral 'only' | 一人だけ来た |
| しか〜ない | negative only | 'only', too few / not enough | 一人しか来なかった |
| ばかり | affirmative | 'nothing but', too much | 文句ばかり言う |
Natural examples
財布に百円しかない。
さいふに ひゃくえんしか ない。
I have only 100 yen in my wallet.
Only 100 yen, and it's not enough: しか + ない.
彼は野菜しか食べません。
かれは やさいしか たべません。
He eats nothing but vegetables.
しか replaces を: 野菜しか + 食べません.
この店は現金でしか払えない。
この みせは げんきんでしか はらえない。
At this shop you can only pay in cash.
で + しか: only by cash (a limitation).
この本は図書館でしか読めません。
このほんは としょかんでしか よめません。
This book can only be read at the library.
でしか + potential negative.
終電がもうないから、歩いて帰るしかない。
しゅうでんが もう ないから、あるいて かえるしかない。
The last train has gone, so I have no choice but to walk home.
V-dictionary + しかない = the only option.
Similar grammar and the difference
だけ works with affirmative verbs and is neutral. しか always needs a negative and implies insufficiency. Compare side by side
ばかり = nothing but (too much). しか〜ない = only (too little). Compare side by side
V + しかない ("no choice but to") overlaps in meaning: 行くしかない ≈ 行かなければならない, but stresses lack of alternatives. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 財布に百円しかあります。
- ✓
- 財布に百円しかありません。
- Why
- しか must be followed by a negative verb even though the meaning is "only".
- ✗
- 野菜をしか食べない。
- ✓
- 野菜しか食べない。
- Why
- しか replaces を and が; it does not follow them.
- ✗
- 現金しかで払えない。
- ✓
- 現金でしか払えない。
- Why
- Other particles come before しか: でしか, にしか.
しか〜ない sounds like a complaint or a limitation; だけ sounds like a plain fact. With numbers, しか stresses fewness: 三人しか来なかった (only three came, disappointingly). 〜するしかない is a useful phrase for resignation: 諦めるしかない.
JLPT N4 tips
On the exam
- See しか before the blank → the verb must be negative. See a negative verb after a blank meaning "only" → しか, not だけ.
- Particle order items: でしか / にしか (particle first, then しか); options like しかで are wrong.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜しか〜ない "nothing but / only (with a negative)" mean?
"Only", with the nuance that the amount is less than expected or insufficient. しか + negative verb means "only", with the feeling that it is not enough: 財布に百円しかない = I have only 100 yen (and that's too little). Even though the meaning is positive ("there IS 100 yen"), the verb must be negative. しか replaces が and を (野菜しか食べない) and comes after other particles (現金でしか, 先生にしか).
How do you form 〜しか〜ない "nothing but / only (with a negative)"?
Noun + しか + negative: 百円しかない, 野菜しか食べない / しか replaces が / を / Other particles + しか: にしか, でしか, としか, からしか / V-dictionary + しかない = have no choice but to (歩くしかない). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜しか〜ない "nothing but / only (with a negative)" used?
Complaining or stressing a small amount, number or range: only one person came, only cash accepted, you can only buy it here. Everyday speech and writing at all politeness levels. If you just want to state a limit without any "too little" feeling, use だけ.
What is the difference between 〜しか〜ない "nothing but / only (with a negative)" and 〜だけ?
だけ works with affirmative verbs and is neutral. しか always needs a negative and implies insufficiency.
What is the difference between 〜しか〜ない "nothing but / only (with a negative)" and 〜ばかり?
ばかり = nothing but (too much). しか〜ない = only (too little).
What is a common mistake with 〜しか〜ない "nothing but / only (with a negative)"?
Wrong: 財布に百円しかあります。 Right: 財布に百円しかありません。 しか must be followed by a negative verb even though the meaning is "only".
Quick check
冷蔵庫には卵が一つしか（ ）。