How to tell them apart
だけ marks a limit neutrally and works with positive or negative verbs, while しか always pairs with a negative verb and carries a sense that the amount or set is disappointingly small. Saying 時間が一時間しかある sounds wrong because しか needs the negative ない. Use 時間が一時間だけある for a plain statement of amount, and 時間が一時間しかない when one hour feels insufficient.
- だけ Use だけ when you state a limit or extent without requiring a negative verb.
- しか Use しか when you emphasize that nothing but X exists or happens, with a negative verb.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| だけ dake | to the extent of; merely, nothing more | N5 |
| しか shika | nothing but, only a small amount (used with a negative verb) | N5 |
だけ dake
to the extent of; merely, nothing more
だけ limits the amount or scope of something, meaning only or as much as. It attaches directly to nouns, to verbs in plain form, and to quantity words like これ or それ. It is neutral in register and common in everyday speech.
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うむ。これだけのことをされて、ブチキレないほうがおかしい。
So. Having had all that done to him it would be stranger if he wasn't enraged.
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メールをチェックしたかっただけ。
I just wanted to check my email.
しか shika
nothing but, only a small amount (used with a negative verb)
しか means "only" and must be followed by a negative verb, giving a sense of "nothing but" or "not more than." It attaches directly to nouns, quantity words, or phrases, as in 一膳しかない or 少ししかいない, and often implies the amount is small or less than hoped.
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みんなもそうなのかな、と思うことくらいしかできない。
I can only wonder if this is the same for everyone else.
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本当にたまにしか来ないからね。
I only come once in a blue moon.
だけ and しか are both JLPT N5 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.