KizunaNCEA Japanese

Worksheet

L2-NUA-03 · Nothing but / only

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L2-NUA-03Level 2 GrammarNuance

Using しか〜ない to say only or nothing but

This gives you a sharper way to talk about having only a small amount of time, choice, or options.

noun + しか + negative

Warm-up

Read and notice

  1. しけん まで ふつか しか ない です。There are only two days until the exam.
  2. きょうは にほんご しか べんきょうしません。Today I am only studying Japanese.

Structure drill

Rebuild the pattern

  1. NounStart with the thing you have only a little of.
  2. しかAdd しか for strong limitation.
  3. NegativeFinish with a negative verb or ない.

Controlled practice

Use the lesson frames

  1. Rewrite this frame with your own class topic: There are only two days until the exam.しけん まで ふつか しか ない です。
  2. Underline the grammar chunk you must keep unchanged in this pattern, then adapt the rest.きょうは にほんご しか べんきょうしません。

Comic strip response

Explain the conversation

  1. Exam stressしけん まで どのぐらい ですか。一しゅうかん しか ない です。
  2. Busy dayきょうは どう しますか。きょうは うち で にほんご しか べんきょうしません。

Independent output

Make it your own

  1. Write one sentence about your own life using L2-NUA-03.
  2. Write one sentence linked to class topic work.
  3. Circle the watch-out you need to check most carefully.
    • しか usually needs a negative ending after it.
    • It sounds stronger than just using だけ.

Success check

Mastery tick-off