Topic N3
Japanese Learning
103. しかない : Have no choice but to / Can only.
✏️Structure
Verb (dictionary form) + しかない💡Usage
Expresses no other choice. "Have no choice but to...", "Can only...".
📚Examples
終電にも乗り遅れてしまい、タクシーのお金も持っていないので、今日は歩いて帰るしかない。
Shuuden ni mo noriokurete shimai, takushii no okane mo motte inai node, kyou wa aruite kaeru shika nai.
I missed the last train and have no money for a taxi, so I have no choice but to walk home today.
雨が降っているけれど傘を忘れてしまったので、駅の近くのコンビニで新しいのを買うしかない。
Ame ga futte iru keredo kasa wo wasurete shimatta node, eki no chikaku no konbini de atarashii no wo kau shika nai.
It's raining but I forgot my umbrella, so I have no choice but to buy a new one at a convenience store near the station.
今度の日本語の試験に合格するためには、毎日寝る時間を削って必死に頑張るしかない。
Kondo no nihongo no shiken ni goukaku suru tame ni wa, mainichi neru jikan wo kezutte hisshi ni ganbaru shika nai.
In order to pass the next Japanese exam, I have no choice but to desperately do my best by cutting down on my sleeping time every day.
会議に遅刻してしまったのは私の寝坊が原因だから、言い訳せずに誠実に謝るしかない。
Kaigi ni chikoku shite shimatta no wa watashi no nebou ga genin da kara, iiwake sezu ni seijitsu ni ayamaru shika nai.
My oversleeping is the cause of being late for the meeting, so I have no choice but to apologize sincerely without making excuses.
どうしても行きたいコンサートのチケットが手に入ったのだから、お金がなくても行くしかない。
Doushitemo ikitai konsaato no chiketto ga te ni haitta no da kara, okane ga nakute mo iku shika nai.
Since I've gotten the ticket for the concert I desperately want to go to, I have no choice but to go even if I have no money.
これはお客様から任された大切なプロジェクトだから、最後まで責任を持ってやるしかない。
Kore wa okyakusama kara makasareta taisetsu na purojekuto da kara, saigo made sekinin wo motte yaru shika nai.
Since this is an important project entrusted by the customer, I have no choice but to take responsibility to the end and do it.
彼が「絶対に約束を守る」と真剣な顔で言っているのなら、それを信じて待つしかないだろう。
Kare ga "Zettai ni yakusoku wo mamoru" to shinken na kao de itte iru no nara, sore wo shinjite matsu shika nai darou.
If he says "I will definitely keep my promise" with a serious face, we probably have no choice but to believe it and wait.
会社の経営状況が悪化して給料が下がってしまったが、今は厳しい現実を受け入れるしかない。
Kaisha no keiei joukyou ga akka shite kyuuryou ga sagatte shimatta ga, ima wa kibishii genjitsu wo ukeireru shika nai.
The company's business condition has worsened and wages have decreased, but right now I have no choice but to accept the harsh reality.
欲しい車があるけれどまだ貯金が足りないので、買えるようになるまで今の自転車で我慢するしかない。
Hoshii kuruma ga aru keredo mada chokin ga tarinai node, kaeru you ni naru made ima no jitensha de gaman suru shika nai.
I have a car I want but I don't have enough savings yet, so until I am able to buy it, I have no choice but to endure with my current bicycle.
今日はお弁当を作る時間がなかったので、お昼ご飯は近くのコンビニで買うしかない。
Kyou wa obentou wo tsukuru jikan ga nakatta node, ohirugohan wa chikaku no konbini de kau shika nai.
I didn't have time to make a bento today, so I have no choice but to buy my lunch at a nearby convenience store.