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 the most neutral way to express “only” or “just.”
だけ
Only; Just
JLPT Level: N5
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How to Use It
When being used to mean “only” or “just,” だけ is a very neutral expression. It’s a way to state facts—there is nothing more, nothing less. To use it in a sentence, we state the item and then add だけ. For example, in the sentence, “I received only a coupon,” “coupon” would be our item, and we would follow it with だけ. Note that だけ often replaces the particle typically used in the sentence (を, が, etc).
Usage Pattern
Noun + だけ
い-adjective + だけ
な-adjective + な + だけ
Verb (Short Form) + だけ
Example 1
私は雑誌だけ買いました。
わたし は ざっし だけ かいました。
Watashi wa zasshi wo kaimashita.
I only bought a magazine.
Example 2
彼はかっこいいだけです。
かれ は かっこいい だけ です。
Kare wa kakkoii dake desu.
He is only handsome. (His looks are all he has.)
Example 3
明日のトレーニングは歩くだけ、走りません。
あした の トレーニング は あらうく だけ、 はしりません。
Ashita no tore-ningu wa aruku dake, hashirimasen.
For tomorrow’s training/workout, I will only walk, not run.
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