～しか～ない
No more than this one limited choice
You'll be able to emphasize that nothing beyond a small amount or limited option is available.
りんごは一つしかありません。
ringo wa hitotsu shika arimasen.
What do you think this sentence means?
There is only one apple.
Limit the available amount
～しか～ない means only or nothing except. It often emphasizes that the amount or choice is limited. Although the Japanese predicate is negative, the English translation often is not.
百円しか持っていません。
hyakuen shika motte imasen.
I have only one hundred yen.
Form and use ～しか～ない
Use しか with a negative ending: 一つしかない. It replaces が or を, while particles such as に may remain before it. だけ can use an affirmative predicate and is more neutral.
百円しか持っていません。
hyakuen shika motte imasen.
I have only one hundred yen.
蓮は水しか飲みません。
ren wa mizu shika nomimasen.
Ren drinks only water.
財布に千円しかありません。
saifu ni sen'en shika arimasen.
I only have 1,000 yen in my wallet.
この村にはバスが一日に二本しか来ません。
kono mura ni wa basu ga ichinichi ni nihon shika kimasen.
Only two buses a day come to this village.
昨日は忙しくて、三時間しか寝られませんでした。
kinou wa isogashikute, sanjikan shika neraremasen deshita.
I was busy yesterday and only got three hours of sleep.
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