Welcome to Day 38 of our 100-day JLPT N5 challenge!
Today, we’re diving into a small but mighty word: だけ (dake), which means “only,” “just,” or “as much as.”
This versatile grammar point will help you sound more natural in conversations, whether you’re limiting quantities, emphasizing exclusivity, or describing specific actions.
Let’s get started!
Main Lesson: Understanding and Using “Dake” (だけ)
What is “Dake”?
In Japanese, だけ (dake) is a particle that limits or restricts something, meaning “only,” “just,” or “as much as.”
It emphasizes that nothing else is included beyond what you specify.
You can attach “dake” to verbs, nouns, or adjectives to clarify that you’re talking about a specific thing, amount, or action.
Pronunciation: “Dake” is pronounced as dah-keh. The “a” sounds like the “a” in “father,” and the “e” is like the “e” in “bed.” Practice saying it aloud to get comfortable!
How to Use “Dake”
“Dake” is flexible and pairs with different parts of speech. Here’s how it connects:
Verb (dictionary form) + だけ:
Use with verbs in their plain, dictionary form (e.g., “taberu” = to eat).
Noun + だけ:
Attach directly to a noun (e.g., “sushi” = sushi).
な-adjective + な + だけ:
Add “na” before “dake” for な-adjectives (e.g., “genki na” = healthy).
い-adjective + だけ:
Attach directly to い-adjectives (e.g., “takai” = expensive).
Vocabulary List
To help you use “dake” effectively, here’s a list of JLPT N5-level vocabulary words that work well with today’s lesson.
| Japanese | Romaji | English |
|---|---|---|
| えいが | eiga | movie |
| のむ | nomu | to drink |
| みる | miru | to see, to watch |
| かう | kau | to buy |
| いっぱい | ippai | one cup/glass |
Examples of “Dake” in Action
Let’s break it down with examples to show how “dake” works in sentences.
すし は まぐろ だけ たべます。（Sushi wa maguro dake tabemashita.）
I only eat tuna sushi.
コーヒー を いっぱい だけ のみます。（Koohii wo ippai dake nomimasu.）
I only drink one cup of coffee.
トム は えいご だけ はなします。(Tom wa eigo dake hanashimasu.)
Tom only speaks English.
わたし は ホラーえいが だけ みます。（watashi wa horaa eiga dake mimasu.）
I only watch horror movies.
きょう は ぎゅうにく だけ かいます。（kyou wa gyuuniku dake kaimasu.）
Today, I only buy beef.
Practice Section: Test Your “Dake” Skills
Let’s put “dake” into practice with some interactive exercises. Try these to reinforce what you’ve learned!
Question 1: Translate “I only go to the station today.” (えき/eki = station)
Question 2: Translate “Just water, please.”
Question 3: Translate “Only this room is quiet.” (しずか/shizuka = quiet)
Question 4: Translate “I only buy expensive clothes.” (たかい/takai = expensive, ふく/fuku = clothes)
Question 5: Translate “I only eat bread for breakfast.” (あさごはん/asagohan = breakfast)
Question 6: Translate “I only buy a chicken today.”
Conclusion: You’re One Step Closer to JLPT N5!
Congratulations on mastering “dake” in Day 38 of our 100-day JLPT N5 challenge!
You’ve learned how to use this versatile particle with verbs, nouns, and adjectives to say “only” or “just” like a native speaker. Keep practicing with today’s exercises and homework to make “dake” second nature.
Consistency is key, so stick with us for the next 62 days to reach JLPT N5 fluency!
