Meaning & usage
だけ marks a limit, meaning only that amount or to that extent, as in 少しだけ or できるだけ. It follows nouns, quantities, i-adjectives in plain form, na-adjectives in the attributive な form such as 静かなだけ, and verbs or whole clauses in plain form such as 食べたいだけ. It is neutral in conversation and writing, and it must sit directly after the limited element because moving it changes the meaning.
Example sentences 6
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できるだけサポートするよ。
I'll support you as much as I can.
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できるだけ多くの本を読むべきである。
You should read as many books as you can.
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いたいだけいてくださいね。
Please stay as long as you want.
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来て下さるだけでいいのです。
I just want you to come.
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少しだけフランス語が話せます。
I can speak French a little.
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できるだけたくさんの本を読みなさい。
Read as many books as you can.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 5 past exam questions.
And 1 more test.
