しか | Grammar

Structure

[noun] + しか + [verb (negative)] [noun + particle (を/に/へ/で/から/まで etc.)] → particle replaced by or combined with しか + [verb (negative)]

[verb (dict)] + しか + [verb (negative)] [verb て form] + しか + [verb (negative)]

[counter/quantity] + しか + [verb (negative)]

しか always requires a negative predicate (〜ない / 〜ません etc.)

Description

The grammar structure ～しか is used to express exclusivity with a negative nuance, meaning "nothing but" or "only." It emphasizes that there are no other options or possibilities beyond what is stated. Importantly, しか must always be followed by a negative verb form.

。

I drink nothing but water.

。

I only have 100 yen (and it’s not enough).

Unlike だけ, which is neutral and allows for other possibilities, しか conveys a stronger sense of exclusion and implies that no other options exist.

Examples

。

I drink nothing but water.

。

This shop has nothing but bread.

。

He can speak nothing but Japanese.

、。

I only have 100 yen today.

。

We know no other road but this one.

。

The kids are doing nothing but playing games.

。

There is only one way to solve this problem.

。

She has only one friend.

。

You can only climb this mountain in spring.

。

You are the only one who knows this story.

。

I was thinking about nothing but the company.

。

On rainy days, there’s nothing to do but stay home.

References

Shika Hokaimabi.org