What it means
だけ expresses limitation, meaning “only,” “just,” or “no more than.” It can follow a noun, a verb in plain form, an i-adjective, or a na-adjective with な. The word or clause before だけ is the part being limited. The nuance depends on context: it may sound neutral, reassuring, modest, or restrictive. When だけだ or だけです ends the sentence, it often means that something is merely the case or that someone does nothing more than the stated action.
Usage note
Do not assume that だけ is always softer or less restrictive than しか; their nuance depends on the context. Unlike しか, だけ does not normally require a negative predicate. With a na-adjective, retain な before だけ, as in 静かなだけだ.
How to use it
学生だけです。
There are only students.
彼は親切なだけです。
He is simply kind.
その店は安いだけです。
That shop is merely cheap.
私は資料を確認するだけです。
I only check the materials.
学生だけだ。
There are only students.
彼は親切なだけだ。
He is simply kind.
その店は安いだけだ。
That shop is merely cheap.
私は資料を確認するだけだ。
I only check the materials.
Example sentences
この薬は一日に一錠だけ飲めば十分です。
It is enough to take only one tablet of this medicine a day.
週末は図書館で勉強するだけです。
On weekends, I only study at the library.
会議には部長だけが参加します。
Only the department manager will participate in the meeting.
冷蔵庫には牛乳が