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Only / just
Definition
The grammar pattern "だけ" is used to indicate that something is limited or restricted to a certain extent. It can be used with both positive and negative sentences to convey that something is only that much or just that much. For example, "コーヒーだけ飲みました" means "I only drank coffee". This pattern is often used to contrast with other options or to emphasize that something is limited to a certain extent. It can also be used to convey a sense of surprise or unexpectedness.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | Nounだけ | コーヒーだけ飲みました |
| Verb | Verbだけ | 日本語が少しだけわかります |
| Counter | Counterだけ | 今日は水だけ飲みました |
Examples
コーヒーだけ飲みました。
Kohi dake nomimashita.
I only drank coffee.
Kohi (coffee) dake (only) nomi (drank) mashita (past tense)
日本語が少しだけわかります。
Nihongo ga sukoshi dake wakarimasu.
I only know a little Japanese.
Nihongo (Japanese) ga (subject marker) sukoshi (a little) dake (only) wakarimasu (can understand)
今日は水だけ飲みました。何も食べませんでした。
Kyō wa mizu dake nomimashita. Nanimo tabemashita.
I only drank water today. I didn't eat anything.
Kyō (today) wa (topic marker) mizu (water) dake (only) nomi (drank) mashita (past tense). Nanimo (nothing) tabe (eat) mashita (past tense)
Context
The grammar pattern "だけ" is used to indicate that something is limited or restricted to a certain extent. It can be used with both positive and negative sentences to convey that something is only that much or just that much. It is often used to contrast with other options or to emphasize that something is limited to a certain extent. It can also be used to convey a sense of surprise or unexpectedness. The pattern is typically used in casual conversation and is not typically used in formal writing.
Watch out
The pattern "だけ" must be placed after the word it restricts. For example, "コーヒーだけ飲みました" is correct, but "だけコーヒー飲みました" is incorrect.
The pattern "だけ" can be used with both positive and negative sentences, whereas "しか" requires a negative verb. For example, "コーヒーだけ飲みました" is correct, but "コーヒーしか飲みませんでした" is incorrect.
Strategy
When using the pattern "だけ" on the JLPT exam, make sure to place it after the word it restricts and use it with both positive and negative sentences. Also, be careful not to confuse it with the pattern "しか".
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows だけ used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
コーヒーだけ飲みました。
Pattern used: だけ
だけ with a positive verb means 'only'. I drank only coffee. しか would require a negative verb (しか飲みませんでした).
日本語が少しだけわかります。
Pattern used: だけ
だけ limits the scope: I understand only a little Japanese. The positive verb わかります pairs naturally with だけ.
今日は水だけ飲みました。何も食べませんでした。
Pattern used: だけ
だけ restricts to 'only water'. The verb is positive (飲みました), so だけ is correct. しか would need a negative verb.
Interactive
コーヒー______飲みました。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.