![Joy with 3 apples [Dake] vs. Joy with only 1 apple looking sad [Shika]](https://jplt-dialogplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Shika.png)
(Joy with 3 apples [Dake] vs. Joy with only 1 apple looking sad [Shika])
“I have only 1000 yen.”
Does this mean “1000 yen is enough”? Or “1000 yen is NOT enough”?
In Japanese, we use 〜だけ (Dake) and 〜しか (Shika) to distinguish these feelings. One is a simple fact, and the other implies “it’s too little.” Let’s master the difference!
🗣 Conversation Scene
Joy checks her wallet before lunch.
あ… でも、財布（さいふ）に 100円（えん）しか ありません。
(I’m hungry! Ah… but, I have “only” 100 yen in my wallet. [Sad/Not enough])
私（わたし）は 1000円（えん）だけ あります。パンを 買（か）いましょう。
(Eh, 100 yen? I have “just” 1000 yen. Let’s buy bread.)
💡 Explanation
The translation “Only” is the same, but the grammar rule is completely different!
Point 1: Dake (だけ) = Just / Limit
Use with POSITIVE verbs.
It states a fact. It means “That is the limit, no more.” It is neutral.
- 1時間（じかん）だけ 勉強（べんきょう）しました。
(I studied for just 1 hour. [Fact]) - りんごが 1つだけ あります。
(There is just one apple.)
Point 2: Shika (しか) = Not enough
Use with NEGATIVE verbs (〜ない).
It means “Nothing but…” or “Only this (and I wish I had more).” It emphasizes insufficiency or disappointment.
- 1時間（じかん）しか 勉強（べんきょう）しませんでした。
(I studied ONLY for 1 hour [and it was not enough].) - りんごが 1つしか ありません。
(There is ONLY one apple [I need more!].)
📊 Comparison Table
🚧 Joy’s Mistake
❌ Wrong: 100円しか あります。
(You cannot use “Shika” with a positive verb “arimasu”.)
✅ Right: 100円しか ありません。
(With “Shika”, always change the verb to Negative!)
✅ Right: 100円だけ あります。
(If you use a positive verb, use “Dake”.)
🔥 Practice Quiz
Tap to check the answer!
