〜だけ: This word means 'only' or 'just'. It shows that there is a limit. It tells you there is nothing more.

Dictionary

〜だけ

This word means 'only' or 'just'. It shows that there is a limit. It tells you there is nothing more.

N4 KMT2NeutralStandardParticleMixedLimitation And ExclusivityGrammar

Noun + だけPrimary

Verb [dictionary form] + だけ

Verb [た-form] + だけ

い-Adjective + だけ

な-Adjective + な + だけ

This word means 'only' or 'just'. It shows that there is a limit. It tells you there is nothing more.

健康のために、水だけを飲むようにしています。

For my health, I make a point of drinking only water.

PoliteProgressiveAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeMedicine & Health Food & Dining Daily Life

怒っているわけではありません。ただ、少し気になったので聞きたかっただけです。

I'm not angry. I was just a little curious, so I just wanted to ask.

PolitePastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeEmotions & Psychology Daily Life

人参だけが嫌いなわけではなく、ピーマンも苦手です。

It's not that I only dislike carrots; I'm not fond of green peppers either.

NeutralNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFood & Dining Emotions & Psychology

ビュッフェでは好きなだけ食べられますよ。

At a buffet, you can eat as much as you like.

PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceAbilityFood & Dining Culture & Traditions

あの子は、ただ可愛いだけじゃなくて、頭もいいんだ。

She's not just cute, she's smart too.

CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & Relationships Emotions & Psychology

Sometimes, 'dake' means "all the way" or "as much as you can get." Think of it like filling a cup completely. It shows the full amount, not a small part.

This is different from 'しか' (shika). Both mean 'only'. But 'だけ' works with positive and negative sentences. For example, 'I only drink water' or 'I only don't drink water'. 'しか' must always use a negative verb. It also often means 'not enough'. 'だけ' is a simple, neutral way to say 'only'. 'のみ' (nomi) is a formal way to say 'だけ'.

Watch out: You might say "I only have 100 yen" using だけ. But if 100 yen is not enough, use しか with a negative verb. For example, say "百円しかありません" (I only have 100 yen, and it's not enough). If you say "百円だけあります", it just means you have 100 yen. It does not show that you think it is too little.

Use this when you want to make an action seem small. It is like saying "just" in English. For example, "I just looked" or "I just said it." This makes your words sound softer.

Contrasts with(4)

〜しか〜ない

This means 'only' or 'nothing but'. You always use it with a negative verb. It shows that something is small or not enough.

〜ばかり (amount)

This means "about" or "around" a certain amount. You use it for numbers or times.

〜ぐらい

This word means 'about' or 'around'. You use it for numbers, time, or how far away something is.

〜くらい

This word tells you something is 'about' or 'around' a certain amount. It is not exact.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜のみ

This means 'only' or 'just'. It is like 〜だけ, but you use it in more formal writing.

〜です / 〜でした

This word means 'is' or 'am'. It connects two things. It makes your sentence polite.

〜は (topic)

は (wa) tells you what the sentence is about. It points to the main subject or idea.

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Dictionary

〜だけ

This word means 'only' or 'just'. It shows that there is a limit. It tells you there is nothing more.

N4 KMT2NeutralStandardParticleMixedLimitation And ExclusivityGrammar

Noun + だけPrimary

Verb [dictionary form] + だけ

Verb [た-form] + だけ

い-Adjective + だけ

な-Adjective + な + だけ

This word means 'only' or 'just'. It shows that there is a limit. It tells you there is nothing more.

健康のために、水だけを飲むようにしています。

For my health, I make a point of drinking only water.

PoliteProgressiveAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeMedicine & Health Food & Dining Daily Life

怒っているわけではありません。ただ、少し気になったので聞きたかっただけです。

I'm not angry. I was just a little curious, so I just wanted to ask.

PolitePastAffirmativeSentence EndingDeclarativeEmotions & Psychology Daily Life

人参だけが嫌いなわけではなく、ピーマンも苦手です。

It's not that I only dislike carrots; I'm not fond of green peppers either.

NeutralNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFood & Dining Emotions & Psychology

ビュッフェでは好きなだけ食べられますよ。

At a buffet, you can eat as much as you like.

PoliteNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceAbilityFood & Dining Culture & Traditions

あの子は、ただ可愛いだけじゃなくて、頭もいいんだ。

She's not just cute, she's smart too.

CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDeclarativeFamily & Relationships Emotions & Psychology

Sometimes, 'dake' means "all the way" or "as much as you can get." Think of it like filling a cup completely. It shows the full amount, not a small part.

Use this when you want to make an action seem small. It is like saying "just" in English. For example, "I just looked" or "I just said it." This makes your words sound softer.

Contrasts with(4)

〜しか〜ない

This means 'only' or 'nothing but'. You always use it with a negative verb. It shows that something is small or not enough.

〜ばかり (amount)

This means "about" or "around" a certain amount. You use it for numbers or times.

〜ぐらい

This word means 'about' or 'around'. You use it for numbers, time, or how far away something is.

〜くらい

This word tells you something is 'about' or 'around' a certain amount. It is not exact.

Less formal alternatives(1)

〜のみ

This means 'only' or 'just'. It is like 〜だけ, but you use it in more formal writing.

〜です / 〜でした

This word means 'is' or 'am'. It connects two things. It makes your sentence polite.

〜は (topic)

は (wa) tells you what the sentence is about. It points to the main subject or idea.

Track your mastery

Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.

〜だけ

Patterns5

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Common Mistakes1

Discourse Function1

Compare with5

Contrasts with(4)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites2

Track your mastery

〜だけ

Patterns5

Meaning

Examples5

Nuance1

Contrasts1

Common Mistakes1

Discourse Function1

Compare with5

Contrasts with(4)

Less formal alternatives(1)

Prerequisites2

Track your mastery