〜しか〜ない (only)
shika nai
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N4 and JLPT N3, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
"only ~ (and nothing more)" — emphasises that the amount is small or insufficient.
しか + negative verb means "only" with the feeling "and that's not enough": 百円しかありません "I only have 100 yen". The verb must be negative even though the meaning is positive ("there is 100 yen"). しか replaces が and を; other particles stay before it (東京にしか).
Complaining about small amounts (money, time, people), limited abilities (only a little Japanese), and limited choices.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun／Quantity + しか + negative predicate
Visual diagram
- Step 1百円がありますthere is 100 yen
- Step 2百円だけありますthere is only 100 yen (neutral)
- Step 3百円しかありませんthere is only 100 yen (and that's too little)
Natural examples
財布に百円しかありません。
さいふに ひゃくえんしか ありません。
I have only 100 yen in my wallet.
しか + ありません.
この店は日曜日しか休みません。
この みせは にちようびしか やすみません。
This shop closes only on Sundays.
しか + 休みません.
日本語は少ししか話せません。
にほんごは すこししか はなせません。
I can speak only a little Japanese.
しか + 話せません.
教室に学生が一人しかいません。
きょうしつに がくせいが ひとりしか いません。
There is only one student in the classroom.
Compare 一人だけいます (neutral).
この店は現金しか使えません。
この みせは げんきんしか つかえません。
This shop only takes cash.
A limitation with a negative verb.
Similar grammar and the difference
だけ + affirmative, neutral; しか + negative, "not enough". Compare side by side
Other words that require a negative ending. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 百円しかあります
- ✓
- 百円しかありません
- Why
- しか must be followed by a negative.
- ✗
- 百円がしかありません
- ✓
- 百円しかありません
- Why
- しか replaces が.
- ✗
- 東京しか行ったことがない
- ✓
- 東京にしか行ったことがない
- Why
- に stays before しか.
The predicate MUST be negative (×百円しかあります). が／を are replaced by しか; other particles stay before it (東京にしか行ったことがない). だけ is neutral; しか〜ない implies "that's too little".
JLPT N5 tips
On the exam
- Blank after a quantity with a negative verb at the end → しか. With an affirmative verb → だけ.
- If しか is given and the blank is the verb, the answer is the negative form.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜しか〜ない (only) mean?
"only ~ (and nothing more)" — emphasises that the amount is small or insufficient. しか + negative verb means "only" with the feeling "and that's not enough": 百円しかありません "I only have 100 yen". The verb must be negative even though the meaning is positive ("there is 100 yen"). しか replaces が and を; other particles stay before it (東京にしか).
How do you form 〜しか〜ない (only)?
Noun／Quantity + しか + negative predicate. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜しか〜ない (only) used?
Complaining about small amounts (money, time, people), limited abilities (only a little Japanese), and limited choices.
What is the difference between 〜しか〜ない (only) and だけ?
だけ + affirmative, neutral; しか + negative, "not enough".
What is the difference between 〜しか〜ない (only) and あまり／全然?
Other words that require a negative ending.
What is a common mistake with 〜しか〜ない (only)?
Wrong: 百円しかあります Right: 百円しかありません しか must be followed by a negative.
Quick check
What goes in ( )? 財布に 百円（ ）ありません。