Japanese has three different expressions that can be used to not only mean “only” or “just,” but that also explain how we feel about the situation. In this lesson, we’ll be covering way to express “only” or “just” with a feeling of disappointment or an implication that something is lacking, missing, or insufficient.
しか
Only; Just
JLPT Level: N4
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How to Use It
The unique point about しか is that it used with the negative form of the verb that follows it. In English we might say, “I received only X,” using the positive tense of “to receive.” However, in Japanese, we must use the negative tense.
Usage Pattern
Noun + しか + Verb (Negative Tense)
Example 1
やっと動物園に行けたが、ライオンは一匹しか見えなかった。
やっと どうぶつえん に 行けた が、 ライオン は いっぴき しか みえなかった。
Yatto doubutsuen ni iketa ga, raion wa ippiki shika mienakatta.
We finally made it to the zoo, but we only managed to see one lion.
Example 2
ラーメンが食べたかったのに、寿司しかなかった。
ラーメン が たべたかった のに、すし しか なかった。
Ramen ga tabetakatta no ni, sushi shika nakatta.
I wanted to eat ramen, but all they had was sushi.
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