N3122/219

だけしか

Noun + は + X + だけしか + ないX + だけしか + ない〜はこれだけしかない

Meanings

only ... and nothing else
nothing but
just this much
no more than this

About this pattern

Explanation

だけしか is used to emphasize that there is an extremely limited amount or extent of something, with a strong sense of limitation. It pairs with a negative verb to indicate that only the specified amount or thing exists or is possible, and nothing more beyond that. It often appears in statements about resources, options, abilities, or opportunities, especially when the speaker wants to stress that there is little to nothing beyond what is mentioned.

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Example sentences

今日は食べられるものはこれだけしかない。

Today, there is only this much food I can eat.

うちにはお金がこれだけしかない。

We only have this much money.

選択肢はこれだけしかない。

There are only these options.

彼が持っている時間はこれだけしかない。

He only has this much time.

Related patterns

It would be good if you do X; You should do X; It's enough to do X

たらいい・といい

It would be nice if ...; It would be good if ...; Should ...; I hope ...

during; while; throughout; in the process of

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More N3 patterns

It would be good if you do X; You should do X; It's enough to do X

たらいい・といい

It would be nice if ...; It would be good if ...; Should ...; I hope ...

during; while; throughout; in the process of

while; during; between; in the period of

During the period of / while; Before something changes or happens; Within the time when ... happens

ないうちに

before it happens; before doing something becomes true; before it ends/advances; before it’s no longer possible; while still in the state of not ...