比較 · JLPT N5
だけ vs しか
dake vs shika
Both mean only. だけ is neutral and takes any verb; しか always takes a negative verb and suggests it is not enough.
だけ vs しか: grammar (positive or negative verb) and feeling (neutral or "not enough").
Side by side
| だけ (dake) | しか (shika) | |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | Positive or negative | Always negative |
| Feeling | Neutral: just | Not enough, only |
| Example | 千円だけある | 千円しかない |
Same fact, different feeling
「千円だけあります」 states that you have a thousand yen. 「千円しかありません」 complains that it is only a thousand.
しか needs a negative verb even though the meaning is positive: 「水しか飲まない」, I drink only water.
Side-by-side examples
Tap a kanji for its reading.
- 一つだけください。Just one, please.Neutral.
- 一つしかありません。There's only one left.Not enough.
- 日本語は少しだけ話せます。I can speak a little Japanese.Modest but neutral.
- 日本語は少ししか話せません。I can only speak a little Japanese.Stressing the limit.
Quick check
- 財布に百円（ ）ない。
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しか · Negative verb: しか. - 少し（ ）食べました。
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だけ · Positive verb: だけ. - 学生が三人（ ）来なかった。
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しか · Negative verb, and not enough people.