Dake in Japanese, explained in comparison with shika

What does “dake” mean in Japanese?

Japanese native speakers often use the particle, “dake”, to say “only” in Japanese. But, this particle is not the only one solution. Another particle, “shika”, can also play a similar role. In this blog post, I will explain these two particles and how they are different. And also, I will explain how to use them properly through example sentences. Let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “dake”
• Definition and meanings of “shika”
• Comparison: “dake” vs “shika”
• Example #1: how to use “dake” in a positive sentence
• Example #2: how to use “shika” in a negative sentence
• Example #3: how to use “dake” at the end of a sentence
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “dake”

First of all, let me start with the definition and meanings of “dake”.

• dake – だけ : an adverbial particle used to add the meaning of ‘only’. Depending on the situation and context, it can also add the meaning of ‘just’ or ‘merely’.

Its definition and meanings are quite simple and clear, I think. Then, let me explain the other particle, “shika”, in detail.

Definition and meanings of “shika”

Below are the definition and meanings of “shika”.

• shika – しか : a binding particle used in a negative sentence to add the meaning of ‘only’, ‘no more than’, ‘no one but’, or some such.

Unlike “dake”, “shika” can only be used in a negative sentence to express a strong denial with the meaning of ‘only’. This is the biggest difference between the two particles. Let me explain this point in more detail, together with other differences.

Comparison: “dake” vs “shika”

Below are the differences between the two Japanese particles, “dake” and “shika”.

• “Shika” can only be used in a negative sentence. Strictly speaking, it needs to be followed by the word, “nai“, which is the key to making Japanese negative expressions. On the other hand, “dake” can also be used in a positive sentence to add the meaning of ‘only’.
• “Dake” is often used together with a case particle; “shika” cannot be used together with any case particle.
• “Dake” can be used at the end of a sentence; “shika” cannot be put at the end because it needs to be followed by “nai”.

From these differences, we can assume that “dake” is more flexible than “shika”, and actually it is.

Let me explain how and when to use these two particles through the example sentences below.

Example #1: how to use “dake” in a positive sentence

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, it is put after the pronoun, “kanojo”, to make the subject word in the sentence.
• kare – 彼 (かれ) : a pronoun meaning ‘he’ in Japanese.
• wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. It is written as “wo”, but its actual pronunciation is “o”. In the example, it is put after the pronoun, “kare”, to make the object word in the sentence. “Dake” has been, however, inserted to add the meaning of ‘only’.
• ai shi – 愛し (あいし) : one conjugation of the verb, “ai suru”, which means ‘to love’ in Japanese. It has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle put after a verb or adjective to make its te form. In the example, it is put after the conjugated verb, “ai shi”, to make its te form, “ai shi te”. Verbs need to be changed to their te forms to be connected with the auxiliary verb, “iru”.
• iru – いる : an auxiliary verb used to express the continuity of the action described by the preceding verb. In the example, it is put after the te formed verb, “ai shi te”, to express the continuity of the action, ‘to love’.

This is a typical usage of “dake”. In this example, it has been inserted between the pronoun, “kare”, and the case particle, “wo”, to add the meaning of “only” to the object in the sentence.

This example is a positive sentence, so “shika” cannot be used. To say a similar thing with “shika”, we need to make a negative sentence as follows.

Example #2: how to use “shika” in a negative sentence

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• i – い : one conjugation of the auxiliary verb, “iru”, which has been explained in the last example. In this example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• nai – ない : an auxiliary verb put after a verb, adjective, auxiliary verb, or phrase, to deny its meaning. In the example, it is put after the verb phrase, “ai shi te i”, to deny its meaning.

This is a typical usage of “shika”. “Shika” is used , so the auxiliary verb, “nai”, follows it. The use of “nai” results in making the sentence negative. The translated sentence is not really a negative one, but still reflects the strong denial in the original sentence.

As this example shows, “shika” doesn’t need any other particle to make the proper case of “kare”. In a way, we can consider it as an independent particle which doesn’t need any help from others. On the other hand, as the first example shows, “dake” needs a case particle to make the proper case of a noun or pronoun.

Example #3: how to use “dake” at the end of a sentence

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, it is put after the pronoun, “kanojo”, to make the subject word in the sentence.
• ai suru – 愛する (あいする) : a plain form of “ai shi” which has been used in the last examples. It means ‘to love’ in Japanese.
• hito – 人 (ひと) : a noun meaning ‘person’ or ‘people’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been translated as “one”, though.
• wa – は : the same as explained in the first example. In the example, it is put after the noun, “hito”, to make the subject word in the sentence. The clause, “kanojo ga ai suru”, works as a modifier to describe the noun, “hito”. “Ga” works to make the subject in that clause; “wa” works to make the subject in the whole sentence.

This is another typical usage of “dake”. It doesn’t need to be followed by the auxiliary verb, “nai”, so can come to the end of a sentence. When it is put at the end, it sounds stronger than usual. This usage would help us to make a stronger expression in a positive sentence.

I translated the Japanese sentence as “he is the only one she loves”, but perhaps I should have translated it as “the only one she loves is him” reflecting the original word order.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the two Japanese particles, “dake” and “shika”, in detail with the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• dake – だけ : an adverbial particle used to add the meaning of ‘only’. Depending on the situation and context, it can also add the meaning of ‘just’ or ‘merely’.
• shika – しか : a binding particle used in a negative sentence to add the meaning of ‘only’, ‘no more than’, ‘no one but’, or some such.

Below are the differences between these two Japanese particles: “dake” and “shika”.

• “Shika” can only be used in a negative sentence. Strictly speaking, it needs to be followed by the word, “nai”, which is the key to making Japanese negative expressions. On the other hand, “dake” can also be used in a positive sentence to add the meaning of ‘only’.
• “Dake” is often used together with a case particle; “shika” cannot be used together with any case particle.
• “Dake” can be used at the end of a sentence; “shika” cannot be put at the end because it needs to be followed by “nai”.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.