The difference between "だけ" and "しか"

April 21, 2020

They have the same meaning "only/just". "だけ" can be used in both negative and affirmative sentences, but "しか" can be only used in negative sentences. ("しか" is always related to "ない".) When you want to emphasize "しか", you can say "だけしか".

I'm so hungry. I only have 3 dollars, so it seems like I can buy a hamburger at McDonalds.
すごくお腹が空いた。3ドルだけあるから、マクドナルドでハンバーガーを買えそうだ。
I'm so hungry. I only have 1 dollar, so it seems like I can't even afford a hamburger at McDonalds.
すごくお腹が空いた。1ドルしかないから、マクドナルドでハンバーガーを買えそうにない。
(In the library)

  • Leo : One page completed! I've done it! So, guys, since I've made this amazing progress what do you say we take a break and grab some coffee?
    1ページ、終わった!やった!ねぇ、皆、順調だから休憩しない?コーヒーでも飲みに行かない?
  • Amy : Hey, one page only? Isn't it too early for the break? Since you've finished only one page, it'll take at least an hour to complete the rest of your homework. Anyway, I've just finished all my homework and the only thing I have left is to go through each page. So I can take a break in 15 minutes, if you want. How about Ken?
    えっ、1ページだけ?休むには早すぎない?1ページしか終わっていないんだから、宿題全部(or残り)を終わらすのに少なくとも1時間はかかるよ。私は、ちょうど全部終わったし、あとは(もう一度各ページを)見直すだけ。だから、15分後には休憩できる。ケンは?
  • Ken : Well, I'm not finished yet, I've only completed 3 pages so far, so why don't we take a break in 20 minutes?
    んー、まだ終わっていない。3ページだけしか終わっていないから、20分後に休憩でいい?

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