Hanamaruhanamaru
App

Say 'only' or 'just' about something

だけ means 'only' or 'just', limiting something to one thing or amount.

JLPTN5
... + だけ~ dake

only [noun or amount]

It attaches right after the noun (or amount) it limits and states the restriction neutrally, without judging it as too little. This neutral tone is what sets it apart from しか〜ない, which frames the same limit as not enough.

Tips and Common Traps

Hana· Key point

だけ is handy whenever you want to keep something simple — これだけでいいです (just this is fine).

Maru· Common trap

だけ is neutral; しか〜ない sounds like it's not enough. 水だけ飲んだみずだけのんだ (I drank only water) vs 水しか飲まなかったみずしかのまなかった (I only had water (sadly)).

Related

... しか ... ないnoun + も (also / too)