1.
only, just
Limiting particle indicating exclusivity. Shows that something is limited to what is mentioned and nothing more.
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.'
Common 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).
CONTRAST WITH ばかり: だけ states a plain limit; ばかり suggests the speaker finds the limited thing excessive or one-sided. 肉だけ食べる (eats only meat - a neutral fact) vs. 肉ばかり食べる (eats nothing but meat - implying too much).