【Difference】だけ (dake) vs しか (shika)

“I have only 100 yen.” In Japanese, you can say this in two ways:

100円だけあります。(100-en dake arimasu.)
100円しかありません。(100-en shika arimasen.)

Wait! Why is the second sentence “arimasen” (negative)?

This is the most important rule for the particle しか (shika). It always pairs with a negative verb! This implies a feeling of “not enough.”

This article will explain the difference between だけ (dake) (Neutral) and しか (shika) (Negative feeling).

Usage Explanation ①: 「だけ」 (dake) – “Only / Just” (Neutral)

だけ (dake) is used to state a limit. It means “only” or “just.”

It connects with Positive Verbs (arimasu / tabemasu). It simply describes the fact that there is a limit, without complaining.

Pattern: [Noun] + だけ + [Positive Verb]

Example 1: (Fact)

1000円だけあります。(Sen-en dake arimasu.)

I have only 1000 yen. (Stating the amount.)

Example 2: (Limit)

30分だけ寝（ね）ました。(Sanjuppun dake nemashita.)

I slept for just 30 minutes.

Example 3: (Exclusive)

あなただけに話（はな）します。(Anata dake ni hanashimasu.)

I will tell only you.

Key Point: だけ is neutral. It works with “arimasu/imasu” (positive).

Usage Explanation ②: 「しか」 (shika) – “Only / Nothing but” (Negative)

しか (shika) is also translated as “only,” but it has a strong nuance of “Insufficiency” (Not enough / Too few).

It must ALWAYS be used with a Negative Verb (nai / masen). It literally means “There is nothing but…”

Pattern: [Noun] + しか + [Negative Verb]

Example 1: (Not enough money)

100円しかありません。(Hyaku-en shika arimasen.)

I have only 100 yen. (And I need more! / That’s too little!)

Example 2: (Too short)

30分しか寝（ね）られませんでした。(Sanjuppun shika neraremasen deshita.)

I could only sleep for 30 minutes. (I wanted to sleep more.)

Example 3: (Only one)

お客（きゃく）さんが、一人（ひとり）しか来（き）ませんでした。(Okyakusan ga, hitori shika kimasen deshita.)

Only one customer came. (Disappointing.)

Key Point: しか must pair with “arimasen/imasen” (negative). It shows you feel it is “too little.”

Comparison: 「だけ」 vs 「しか」

Check the verb ending!

Particle	Verb Form	Nuance	Example
だけ (dake)	Positive (ある / ます)	Neutral “Just this amount.”	1000円だけある。 (I have 1000 yen.)
しか (shika)	Negative (ない / ません)	Negative Feeling “Only this little…”	1000円しかない。 (I have only* 1000 yen.)*

Common Mistake Examples

Mistake 1: Using “shika” with a positive verb

Wrong:: 私（わたし）は、日本語しか話（はな）せます。(Watashi wa, Nihongo shika hanasemasu.)
Correct:: 私（わたし）は、日本語しか話（はな）せません。(Watashi wa, Nihongo shika hanasemasen.)
Why?: しか (shika) acts like a magnet for negative verbs. If you use しか, you MUST end the sentence with ない (nai) or ません (masen).

Mistake 2: Complaining with “dake”

Weak nuance:: 今日は、500円だけ持っています。(Kyō wa, 500-en dake motte imasu.)
Stronger/Better:: 今日は、500円しか持っていません。(Kyō wa, 500-en shika motte imasen.)
Why?: If you want to emphasize that you are in trouble because you have *too little* money, しか〜ない communicates your feeling much better.

Practice Quiz

Let’s check your understanding! Choose the correct word for ( ).

Q1.

冷蔵庫（れいぞうこ）に、卵（たまご）がひとつ ( ) ありません。

There is ( ) one egg in the fridge. (Not enough!)

だけ (dake)
しか (shika)

Q2.

日曜日（にちようび） ( ) 休みます。

I rest ( ) on Sundays. (Simple fact)

だけ (dake)
しか (shika)

Q3.

彼（かれ）は、野菜（やさい）を ( ) 食べません。

He eats ( ) nothing but vegetables. / He eats only vegetables.

だけ (dake)
しか (shika)

Quiz Answers

Q1. (b) しか – The verb is “arimasen” (negative), so you must use “shika”.

Q2. (a) だけ – The verb is “yasumimasu” (positive), so you use “dake”.

Q3. (b) しか – The verb is “tabemasen” (negative). This means “He eats nothing EXCEPT vegetables.”

Summary: The Golden Rule

だけ (dake) + Positive Verb: Simple Limit. “Just this.”
しか (shika) + Negative Verb: Insufficiency. “Only this… (not enough).”

Remember: しか (Shika) loves ない (Nai)! They are always together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use “shika” with a positive verb?: A1: No, never! しか (shika) must ALWAYS be followed by a negative verb (nai / masen). If you want to use a positive verb, you must use だけ (dake).
Q2: What is the difference in feeling?: A2: だけ (dake) is neutral. It just states the limit (“Just one”). しか (shika) is negative. It implies “Insufficient” or “Not enough” (“Only one… that’s too few!”).
Q3: What does “〜しかない” (shika nai) mean at the end of a sentence?: A3: It means “have no choice but to do.” Example: やるしかない (Yaru shika nai) = “I have no choice but to do it / I must do it.” This is a common N3 grammar point.