〜しか〜ない shika 〜 nai
〜しか〜ない（shika 〜 nai）means “only; nothing/no one but (+ negative)”. しか is always paired with a negative predicate to mean 'only / nothing but'. Formation: N + しか〜ない ／ 数量詞 + しか〜ない
only; nothing/no one but (+ negative)
N4Formation
N + しか〜ない ／ 数量詞 + しか〜ない
Explanation
しか is always paired with a negative predicate to mean 'only / nothing but'. It emphasizes that the amount or option is limited and carries a nuance of 'not enough' or 'no other choice'. The particles を/が are dropped before しか (e.g. 水しか飲まない).
Examples
Note
Compare だけ, which is neutral and not negative; しか adds a 'and nothing more / not enough' nuance.
FAQ
〜しか〜ない — what does it mean and how is it used?
only; nothing/no one but (+ negative). しか is always paired with a negative predicate to mean 'only / nothing but'. It emphasizes that the amount or option is limited and carries a nuance of 'not enough' or 'no other choice'. The particles を/が are dropped before しか (e.g. 水しか飲まない).
〜しか〜ない — how do you form it?
N + しか〜ない ／ 数量詞 + しか〜ない
〜しか〜ない — any usage notes?
Compare だけ, which is neutral and not negative; しか adds a 'and nothing more / not enough' nuance.