〜だけ
だけ
particle
only, just, as much as
1.
only, just
Limiting particle indicating exclusivity. Shows that something is limited to what is mentioned and nothing more.
水だけ飲みました。
I only drank water.
私だけが知っている。
Only I know.
だけ + が for emphasis
一人だけで行った。
I went alone (just by myself).
今日だけ特別です。
Only today is special.
見るだけです。
I'm just looking.
2.
as much as, to the extent
Indicates the full extent or amount of something, often translated as 'as much as one wants' or 'to the extent possible.'
好きなだけ食べてください。
Please eat as much as you like.
できるだけ早く来てください。
Please come as soon as possible.
できるだけ = as much as possible
欲しいだけ取ってください。
Please take as much as you want.
言いたいだけ言った。
I said as much as I wanted to say.
走れるだけ走った。
I ran as much as I could.
GRAMMAR PATTERNS:
- Noun + だけ: 水だけ (only water)
- Verb (dictionary) + だけ: 見るだけ (just look)
- Verb (た form) + だけ: 食べただけ (only ate)
- い-adjective + だけ: 高いだけ (only expensive)
- な-adjective + な + だけ: 静かなだけ (only quiet)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- できるだけ (as much as possible)
- 好きなだけ (as much as one likes)
- これだけ (only this, just this much)
- それだけ (only that, just that much)
- 〜だけでなく (not only ~)
CONTRAST WITH しか: だけ is neutral; しか + negative emphasizes insufficiency or disappointment. 三人だけ来た (only 3 came - neutral) vs. 三人しか来なかった (only 3 came - implying disappointment).