しか

Meaning

しか is a limiting particle that attaches to nouns and always requires a negative form in the predicate. It expresses that something is limited to one thing only, with no other options. Unlike だけ (which can be used with both positive and negative forms), しか must always be paired with negation (such as ない, できない, or ません).

Formation

Examples

1. 私は日本語しか話せないです。
   I can only speak Japanese.

2. 待つしかない。
   There's nothing left to do but wait.

3. この仕事は山田さんしか出来ないです。
   Only Yamada can handle this job.

4. 冷蔵庫にリンゴはひとつしかない。
   The refrigerator has only one apple.

Summary

• しか always requires a negative form; だけ can be used with both positive and negative forms
• Both express limitation, but しか emphasizes 'only this and nothing else' more strongly
• Common negative forms with しか: できない, ない, ません, ほかない