だけ indicates limitation
Sentence Structure Pattern
- Noun + だけ
- Verb[る]+ だけ
- i-Adjective+ だけ
- na-Adjective + だけ
English Meaning
only, as much as
Japanese
私はお金があるだけ使ってしまいます。
English
I spend as much money as I have.
Japanese
できるだけ助けます。
English
I'll help as much as I can.
Japanese
このアイスクリームは甘いだけで、おいしくないです。
English
This ice cream is just sweet, it's not delicious.
Japanese
必要なだけ使ってください。
English
Please use only as much as you need.
Japanese
この事実だけは動きません!
English
This fact alone does not change!
Example sentence description
The line is from episode 10 of season 1 of 'Attack on Titan,' said by Armin.
だけ indicates range
Sentence Structure Pattern
- Noun + だけ
- Verb[る]+ だけ
- i-Adjective+ だけ
- na-Adjective + だけ
"だけ(dake)" indicate a specific range or limit.
When "だけ" indicates a range, it's generally used with nouns or verbs, such as in "noun + だけ" or "verb + だけ" structures.
The "i-adjective + だけ" form is usually used when "だけ" expresses a limitation.
Therefore, it's important to understand that not all forms may be appropriate in every situation.
Japanese
彼女はお母さんの言うことだけ聞いています。
English
She listens only to what her mother says.
Japanese
できるだけ多くの問題を解く。
English
I solve as many problems as you can.
Japanese
おいしいものだけを食べたい
English
I want to eat food only as delicious as it is.
だけ indicates degree
"だけ(dake)" indicate a certain degree.
Japanese
私は日本語だけしか話せません。
English
I can only speak Japanese.
Japanese
私はできるだけ早く仕事を終わらせます。
English
I will finish my work as soon as possible.
It emphasizes the idea of performing the action as much as possible.
These are often used to mean 'as much as possible'.
Japanese
必要なだけ持って行ってください。
English
Please take only what you need.