でしかない
N2 GRAMMAR 0s study 📖 0 today
de shika nai
merely; nothing but; no more than
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🃏 Flashcard
でしかない
de shika nai
Tap to reveal usage
merely; nothing but; no more than
N2
Tap to test your recall · +10 XP
📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N2
Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage
Reading de shika nai
Post ID 51009
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

merely; nothing but; no more than

🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
でしかない
📚 How to Master This Pattern
🔊
Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat でしかない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
🃏
Flip Before Reading
Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.
✍️
Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using でしかない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern でしかない mean?
Merely; nothing but; no more than
What JLPT level is でしかない?
JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. To pass JLPT N2 you need to recognise and use this pattern correctly in reading and listening sections.
How do you use でしかない in a sentence?
Attach でしかない (de shika nai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is でしかない formal or casual Japanese?
でしかない is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember でしかない long-term?
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review at 10 minutes, 1 day and 3 days (spaced repetition). Writing two original sentences at each review session is the fastest way to reach production-level mastery.