JLPT N3 grammar
しか〜ない — Meaning & Examples
"Only" with a feeling of scarcity. ALWAYS paired with a NEGATIVE verb! 千円しかない = I only have 1000 yen (implying it's not enough). Emotional weight.
しか〜ない — "Only" with Emotional Weight
しか〜ない always comes with a negative verb. It conveys "only this much" with a feeling of disappointment, scarcity, or limitation.
Pattern: [noun] + しか + [negative verb]
Examples (compare with だけ!):
千円しかありません。
= I only have 1000 yen. (implies "and that's not enough!")
一人しか来ませんでした。
= Only one person came. (sad / disappointing)
日本語は少ししか話せません。
= I can only speak a little Japanese. (apologetic)
これしかありません。
= This is all I have. (regretful)
Why the negative? Japanese views "only" as a limitation — there's NOT more. The negative verb expresses the absence.
Important transformations:
〜があります (positive) → 〜しかありません (only)
〜を食べます (positive) → 〜しか食べません (only eat ~)
Tip: When learners get this right, native speakers immediately notice your Japanese sounds more natural!
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on しか〜ない. 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. "He's always sleeping" uses which pattern?
- 寝るだけです
- 寝るしかない
- 寝るはずです
- 寝てばかりいる
Show answer
Answer: 寝てばかりいる
〜てばかりいる = "always doing ~" with exasperated tone. 寝てばかりいる = always sleeping. The てform + ばかりいる pattern.
3. Native speakers notice non-natives using which incorrectly most?
- だけ (dake)
- ばかり (bakari)
- しか〜ない (shika ~nai)
- All are easy
Show answer
Answer: しか〜ない (shika ~nai)
しか〜ない is tricky for learners — forgetting the negative is the most common mistake. Mastering it makes your Japanese sound noticeably more natural.
Practise しか〜ない 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.
Free on iPhone and Android · No ads
Related N3 grammar points
From the same lesson: "Only" Expressions — だけ・しか・ばかり
Frequently asked questions
What does しか〜ない mean?
"Only" with a feeling of scarcity. ALWAYS paired with a NEGATIVE verb! 千円しかない = I only have 1000 yen (implying it's not enough). Emotional weight.
Is しか〜ない on the JLPT N3 test?
しか〜ない 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 しか〜ない?
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.