しか

しか

particle

only; nothing but (with negative)

1. only; nothing but

A particle used with negative verbs to express 'only' or 'nothing but.' The verb following しか must be in negative form.

水(みず)しか飲(の)まない。

I only drink water.

稀(まれ)にしか会(あ)わない。

I rarely see (them) / I only see (them) on rare occasions.

彼(かれ)は日本語(にほんご)しか話(はな)せない。

He can only speak Japanese.

しか is a restrictive particle meaning 'only' that requires a negative verb.

Common patterns

Xしか + negative verb = only X
Must always be followed by a negative form

Examples

一人(ひとり)しか来(こ)なかった: Only one person came.
これしかない: There is only this.

CONTRAST WITH だけ:

だけ: neutral 'only' (can use positive or negative)
しか: emphasizes limitation, requires negative
一人(ひとり)だけ来(き)た: Only one person came. (neutral)
一人(ひとり)しか来(こ)なかった: Only one person came. (emphasizes scarcity)

Related Words

Compare: 〜だけ (only (neutral))

general

Added 2026.2.4 19:52 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09500/09959_shika