HomeGrammarJLPT N3~しかない (〜shika nai)

~しかない (〜shika nai)

JLPT N3

Explanation

Express the idea of 'only', 'no other option but', 'nothing else but'.

Formation

Detailed explanation

The ~しかない grammar point is used to emphasize that there are no other options or possibilities, and the subject must follow a specified action or state. It can be translated as 'only', 'no other option but', or 'nothing else but' in English.

Examples

Kono mondai wo kaiketsu suru houhou wa hitotsu shika nai.

There is only one way to solve this problem.

Kare ga dete ittara, naku shika nai.

If he leaves, there's nothing else to do but cry.

Kanojo ni wa ato ichigatsu shika nai.

She has only one month left.

Boku ni wa kimi wo shinjiru shika nai.

I have no choice but to trust you.

Practice

Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.