Structure
Number + しか + Verb［ない］
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About Number + しか〜ない
The adverbial particle しか is often compared to だけ, in that it also expresses 'only'. However, unlike だけ, しか can only be used in negative statements. Due to this, しか～ない is regularly translated as 'there's only (A)', or 'there's nothing but (A)'. しか～ない may be used to express numbers, or nouns. In this lesson we will examine numbers.
To use this construction, the number that you want to express as being 'all that exists' will go before しか, then しか will be followed by a verb in its ない, or ありません form.
Fun Fact
The main difference between しか and だけ, is that だけ suggests that (A) was 'chosen' from among a group where several other choices exist. しか on the other hand, implies that there are no other choices, and (A) is the only possibility/thing that exists.
- 冷蔵庫の中には色々な物が入っていたけど、リンゴだけを取り出した。There were a lot of things in the refrigerator, but I just took out an apple.
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冷蔵庫の中にはリンゴしかなかったから、リンゴを食べた。Apples were all that was in the refrigerator, so I ate an apple.
Synonyms
Examples
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彼女にはまだ1回しか会っていない。
I have met her no more than once.
計画書は1枚しか提出出来ない。
You can submit only one plan.
髪の毛が3本しか生えていない。
He has no more than three hairs on his head.
一ヶ月しか期間がないのに、あなたは変われるの？
You only have (the period of) one month. Can you change?
彼には1度しか勝っていない。
He has won no more than once.
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Number + しか〜ない – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
max99x
In this sentence:
- 2回しか経験していないのに，自信満々だね。
(You) have experienced (it) no more than twice, and yet (you) are brimming with confidence.
Why is 経験する in the progressive form? The English translation to me suggests past.
- 2回しか経験していないのに，自信満々だね。
Pushindawood
@max99x Hey! ていない is often used to describe events or actions that did not happen/take place in the past. This is especially true for events/actions that occurred recently. Here is a great breakdown of the difference between ていません and ませんでした. Cheers!
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