Guide – Particle 「しか」

The grammar particle しか (shika) is used to indicate “only” or “nothing but” in Japanese. It is used to describe a condition or limitation that is required or expected. The particle is always used with negative verbs, indicating that there is nothing but the thing or action that the verb describes.

The basic pattern for using しか is:

[Negative Verb/Adjective] + しか + [Noun]

Here are some examples:

このレストランでは、肉しかありません。
In this restaurant, there is nothing but meat.

彼女は仕事しかしていません。
She does nothing but work.

日本語しか話せません。
I can speak only Japanese.

私は水しか飲みません。
I only drink water.

雨が降っているので、家にいるしかありません。
As it’s raining, there is nothing else to do but stay home.

彼は勉強しかしていない。
He is doing nothing but studying.

In each of these examples, しか (shika) is used to indicate that there is only one option or possibility, and nothing else.

It is also possible to use しか with positive verbs or adjectives, in which case it takes on the meaning of “only” or “merely”:

彼女は一度しか日本に来たことがありません。
She has only been to Japan once.

その映画は、一時間しかかかりませんでした。
The movie only took one hour.

In these examples, しか is used to emphasize the small amount or limited nature of something.

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