Only, just
だけ
Means “only”, “just”.
Example
一つだけください。 Only one, please.
だけでなく
V
い-Adj
な-Adj + な・である
N (である)
+ だけでなく(て) ... (も)
Means “not only A but also B”. Can also be used as だけではなく.
Example
この都市は大きいだけでなく、きれいでもある。 This city is not only big, it’s also pretty.
のみ
It is a more formal, written version of だけ. It is only used with nouns.
Example
この道は歩行者のみです。 This road is pedestrian only.
きり
V (た)
N
+ きり・っきり
Used with verbs and nouns, it indicates a cutting off point.
Example
一人きりで住んでいます。 I live alone.
Used with a noun, it means “only”.
Example
このバスで一度きり乗った。 I only rode this bus once.
Used with a verb, it means “since”, “after”, “even since”.
Example
彼は卒業したきり見なかった。 I haven’t seen him since we graduated.
Using it as っきり is more casual.
ばかり
Means “only” or “nothing but”, and can convey surprise or negative judgment depending on the context. Used with nouns and verbs.
Examples
この国の春は雨ばかりだ！ In this country, there’s nothing but rain in spring.
うちの子供はテレビばかり見てる。 My child does nothing but watching TV.
ばかりで
V
い-Adj
な-Adj + な
+ ばかりで
Used to say “only” with a negative meaning.
Examples
彼は有名なばかりで面白くない。 He’s only famous but not interesting.
ばかりでなく
V
い-Adj
な-Adj + な
N
+ ばかりでなく... (も)
Means “not only A but also B”. Can also be used as ばかりか, for a slightly stronger effect.
Examples
彼女は綺麗ばかりでなく天才もあるです。 She’s not only beautiful, she’s also a genius.
に限らず
に限らず means “not only A, but also B”. Used with nouns.
Examples
この店は平日に限らず、週末も営業している。 This store is open not only on weekdays but also on weekends.
のみならず
Means “not only, but also”.
Examples
彼は優しくない人のみならず、口も悪い。 Not only is he not kind, but he’s also bad mouthed.
てばかりいる
Means “only”, “nothing but”. Used with a verb in て form.
Examples
僕の犬は鳴けてばかりいる。 My dog is always barking.
でしかない
Means “nothing but” or “no more than”. More often than not conveys a negative nuance. Used with nouns.
Examples
彼は子供でしかない。 He nothing more than a child.
に過ぎない
に過ぎない means “just”, “no more than”. Used for something that is not of great quality, quantity or level.
Examples
彼女はただ初心者に過ぎない。 She’s just a beginner.