〜しか〜ない~shika ~nai

How it works

1. 

   Look at the blue sleep time: only three hours. Use 「しか」 to emphasize how short it is.

2. 

   「しか～ない」 means “only” or “just,” often suggesting that the amount is small or the time is not enough.

3. 

   Place 「しか」 after a number and its counter or time unit: 「三時間しか」, 「一杯しか」, 「一個しか」.

4. 

   End the sentence with a negative form, such as 「寝ていません」. With 「しか」, you cannot use an affirmative form.

5. 

   In the example, the speaker did sleep for three hours. The negative rules out any more than three hours; it does not mean no sleep at all.

6. 

   The water example works the same way: the speaker did drink one glass, but no more. It does not mean they drank none.

Example sentences

• 昨日きのうkinouはわwa三さんsan時間じかんjikanしかshika寝ねneてteいません。imasen。

  Yesterday, I only slept for three hours.

  AI practiceTeacher
• 朝あさasa

In a conversation

• A
  顔かおがむくんでいますが、昨日きのう何なん時間じかん寝ましたねましたか。

  A: Your face looks bloated, how many hours did you sleep yesterday?

  AI practiceTeacher
• B
  過労かろうで忙しくいそがしく

Check yourself

1. Level 1 · Recognise

   Which sentence is correct?

   A急に体調が悪化して、今日は一時間しか安静にできました。B急に体調が悪化して、今日は一時間しか安静にできませんでした。C急に体調が悪化して、今日は一時間をしか安静にできませんでした。D急に体調が悪化して、今日は一時間しか安静にできるませんでした。

2. Level 1 · Recognise

   Listen and choose the meaning

   AI woke up many times during the night and couldn't sleep well until morning.BI was busy yesterday, and even though I was short on sleep, I only slept for two hours.CWork ended late, so I didn't get into bed until dawn.DI've been sleepy all day today, and my head feels foggy.

3. Level 2 · Build

   Put the words in order

   Yesterday I slept only three hours.

   三時間しかいました。寝て昨日はいません。
   Check

4. Level 3 · Use

   What goes in the blank?

   昨日は____（「寝ている」の丁寧な非過去の否定形）。

   I slept only three hours yesterday.

   Show answer

More grammar in this theme

• 〜しか〜ないonly; less than enough

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