Posted inN2 Grammar

Mastering ~だけは: Emphasis and Limitation in Japanese (JLPT N2 Grammar)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

Only…; At least…

🎯 Primary Function

To emphasize a specific action, condition, or item as being the only one within a set, or as being the minimum standard met, often implying that other aspects are lacking or not achieved.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Noun] + だけは [Verb Plain Form] + だけは [い-adjective] + だけは [な-adjective (な)] + だけは

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but the level of politeness depends on the surrounding sentence structure.

😊 Informal Situations

Frequently used in daily conversation.

✍️ Written Language

Commonly appears in written texts, including essays, articles, and fiction.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Very common in spoken Japanese for adding emphasis or expressing limitation.

💡 Common Applications

Highlighting the only exception or action taken
Used to state that only a specific thing was done or is true, excluding everything else.
Example: 忙しいけど、これだけはやっておきたい。 (I’m busy, but I want to at least get this done.)
Expressing a minimum condition or standard
Indicates that at least a certain level or condition is met, even if others are not.
Example: 味はともかく、見た目だけは美味しそうだ。 (Taste aside, at least it looks delicious.)
Focusing on one positive aspect amidst negatives
Used to point out one positive thing in a generally negative situation.
Example: 給料は安いけど、仕事内容だけはやりがいがある。 (The salary is low, but at least the job content is rewarding.)
📊
Frequency
Commonly used in daily conversation and writing among native speakers.
🎚️
Difficulty
JLPT N2
Example Sentences
この資料だけは絶対に失くさないでください。
Please, absolutely do not lose this document, at least.
彼は口だけは達者だ。
He is only good at talking (but doesn’t act).
高いワインは買えないけど、せめてこれだけは試してみたい。
I can’t buy expensive wine, but I want to try at least this one.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Emphasis and Limitation
~だけは strongly emphasizes the noun, verb, or adjective it attaches to, highlighting it as the *only* thing or the *minimum* condition. It often implies that other desired things are *not* happening or are unsatisfactory.
Example: 勉強はしないけど、ゲームだけは毎日している。 (He doesn’t study, but he plays games every day. -> Implies studying is neglected.)
Implied Contrast
There is often an implied contrast or comparison with other possibilities or expectations that are not met.
Example: 給料は安いけど、人間関係だけはいい。 (The salary is low, but at least the human relationships are good. -> Contrasts the negative salary with the positive relationships.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Confusing with ~だけ
✅ Use ~だけは when you want to add a nuance of emphasis, contrast, or minimum standard, often with a slight negative implication about other aspects.
While ~だけ simply means “only,” ~だけは adds emphasis and often carries a nuance of “at least this much” or “only this, but not more/better.”
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: The politeness is determined by the verb or structure following ~だけは, not the pattern itself.
Social Situations: Used in various social situations to specify limitations or emphasize specific points.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese grammar, no significant regional variations.

🔍 Subtle Differences

~だけ vs. ~だけは
~だけ simply states limitation (“only X”). ~だけは emphasizes X, often implying that X is the minimum or only positive thing, or that other things are lacking.
When to use: Use ~だけ when you simply want to state “only X”. Use ~だけは when you want to emphasize “only X” in contrast to other things, or when X is the minimum condition met.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

Attaches directly to nouns. Attaches to the plain form of verbs and い-adjectives. Attaches to な-adjectives by adding な before だけは.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounced da-ke-wa. The は is pronounced “wa” as a particle.

🧠 Memory Tips

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Practice Exercises
このケーキは [ ] 美味しい。他の点は普通だけど。
見た目だけは
値段だけは
簡単だけは
大変だけは
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