だけ and も
だけ
だけ (Only/Just)
Number + Counter + だけ – Only number
Noun + だけ – Only nouns, Only a noun
だけ is a particle added after a word to emphasize “Just“ or “only“. It comes after counters (if only).
Additionally, だけ replaces を and comes before other particles.
Examples
- 1人だけだ – Just 1 person.
- 本だけだ – Just a book.
- さかなだけたべた – Ate only fish.
- かれだけにはなした – Told only him.
Emphasis も
Emphasis も
Number + Counter + も – As many as, as little as
Noun + も – Even Noun, Noun as well.
も is a particle added after a word to emphasize it.
も replaces を and comes after other particles.
With numbers, it tends to be used with surprisingly big or surprisingly small numbers.
Examples
- 1000人もきた – As many as 1000 people came (that’s a lot)
- 一人もこなかった – Not even 1 person came.
- ねこもきた – Even a cat came. (Or a cat came too)
- フォークもたべた – Even ate the fork.
- かれにもはなした – Even told him.
See also しか