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Lesson 16 · “only” and “nothing else”

Only this: だけ

Set a limit: this person or this thing, and nothing else.

Coco-senseiCoco-sensei

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Put だけ immediately after what you are limiting: コーヒー だけ means “only coffee,” and 私わたし だけ means “only me.” English usually puts “only” before the thing; Japanese attaches だけ after it.

The position of だけ tells you what is restricted. 水みず だけ 飲のみます means “I drink only water.” けんさん だけ 学生がくせい です means “Only Ken is a student.” Read だけ together with the words just before it.

Examples

  • Just coffee.

  • I drink only water.

  • Only Ken is a student.