ただ〜のみ
Meanings
- Nothing but
- Only
- Merely
- All that remains
- Have to
- Should
About this pattern
Explanation
ただ〜のみ is a formal, sometimes literary way to say that the only thing to consider or to do is the verb or noun following のみ. It conveys a strong sense of limitation or inevitability, often used in written reporting, arguments, or admonitions. It is similar in nuance to だけだ but with a more formal, more restrained tone; it also implies that there is nothing else to be done or nothing else to consider beyond what is stated. In practice, you’ll see it in sentences that state a sole action or state, sometimes with a sense of consequence or inevitability. It can express obligation in a minimal sense (have to) when the following verb is something one must do, but keep in mind the formality and the slightly stilted feeling; more everyday speech would use だけ or しか〜ない.
Learn in context
Example sentences
He simply has to obey.
She only listens to what I say.
This problem can only be understood; it does not lead to a solution.
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More N1 patterns
from ... to ...; from start to finish; up to and including
View detailsNo matter how ~, it won't change the outcome; Even if ~, the result is still unlikely; Even though ~, it doesn't matter; it's futile to ~
View detailslike; similar to; as if; the same as
View detailsto be worthy of; to be enough for; to be sufficient
View detailsextreme; extremely; unbearably; to an extreme degree
View detailsEven though; Even if; Although; Despite
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