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.
水しか飲まない。
I only drink water.
稀にしか会わない。
I rarely see (them) / I only see (them) on rare occasions.
彼は日本語しか話せない。
He can only speak Japanese.
しか is a restrictive particle meaning 'only' that requires a negative verb.
GRAMMAR:
- Xしか + negative verb = only X
- Must always be followed by a negative form
EXAMPLES:
- 一人しか来なかった: 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
- 一人だけ来た: Only one person came. (neutral)
- 一人しか来なかった: Only one person came. (emphasizes scarcity)