「だけ」Show a limit
「だけ」Show a limit
Only, just, merely
The particle だけ expresses the idea that something is limited. It is very versatile and often combines with other particles. While the particles を, は and が are optional when pairing with だけ, others are not.
1
Usage after nouns.
学生だけ
only students
教室には僕だけが残った。
I was the only one left in the classroom.
私はコーヒーだけ飲む。
I’ll drink only coffee.
2
If placed after a verb or adjective, it takes on the meaning only that, that's all.
彼女の家は大きいだけだ。
That English book (over there) is not interesting. It's just expensive.
中国語の学校に行くだけだ。英語の学校に行かない。
I will only go to Chinese school. I won't go to English school.
Other particles, such as で and に, cannot be omitted when appearing alongside だけ. Moreover, placement of those particles before or after だけ can change the nuance of the sentence. Compare the following:
このバイクはアルコールでだけ動く。
This motorcycle runs only on alcohol (and nothing else).
このバイクはアルコールだけで動く。
This motorcycle runs on alcohol alone (so it needs nothing else).
Formation
食べるだけ
高いだけ
静かなだけ
学生だけ