JLPT N3 grammar
だけ — Meaning & Examples
Neutral "just/only." States a fact without emotion. 一人だけ = just one person. The simplest "only" — use it when you don't want any extra nuance.
だけ — Neutral "Just/Only"
だけ is the simplest and most neutral. It just states a fact: "only this much, nothing more."
Pattern: [noun/verb] + だけ
Examples:
一人だけ来ました。
= Only one person came. (neutral statement)
千円だけあります。
= I have just 1000 yen. (no emotion)
見るだけです。
= I'm just looking. (common in shops!)
日本語が少しだけ話せます。
= I can speak a little Japanese.
Key point: だけ doesn't carry any complaint or surprise. It's the most neutral choice when you just want to say "only X, no more."
Common phrase: "ちょっとだけ" = just a little (extremely common in daily speech)
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on だけ. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which "only" is paired with a NEGATIVE verb?
- だけ (dake)
- しか (shika)
- ばかり (bakari)
- のみ (nomi)
Show answer
Answer: しか (shika)
しか ALWAYS pairs with a negative verb. 千円しかない = I only have 1000 yen. Without the negative, it doesn't mean "only."
2. "I only have 1000 yen" (with feeling of scarcity) is?
- 千円だけあります
- 千円ばかりあります
- 千円しかありません
- 千円ばかりです
Show answer
Answer: 千円しかありません
For "only" with scarcity/disappointment, use しか + negative. 千円しかありません implies "not enough!"
3. The most NEUTRAL "only" is?
- ばかり (bakari)
- しか (shika)
- だけ (dake)
- のみ (nomi)
Show answer
Answer: だけ (dake)
だけ is the neutral choice. Just states a fact with no extra emotion. 一人だけ来ました = only one person came (just a fact).
Practise だけ in the free app
This point is part of the “"Only" Expressions — だけ・しか・ばかり” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N3 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N3 grammar points
From the same lesson: "Only" Expressions — だけ・しか・ばかり
Frequently asked questions
What does だけ mean?
Neutral "just/only." States a fact without emotion. 一人だけ = just one person. The simplest "only" — use it when you don't want any extra nuance.
Is だけ on the JLPT N3 test?
だけ is taught in the JLPT N3 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “"Only" Expressions — だけ・しか・ばかり”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise だけ?
Open the “"Only" Expressions — だけ・しか・ばかり” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N3 mock exams, with no ads.