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How to Say ‘I only have a thousand yen’ in Japanese

千円しかないんです

sen en shika nai n desu

[sen en shika Nai n dess]

💬 Usage Tip: しか always pairs with a negative verb to mean "only". It literally says "don't have anything but 1,000 yen", so 水しか飲まない means "I only drink water".

Phrase Breakdown

千円しか

sen en shika

only 1,000 yen

千円 (sen-en) means '1,000 yen'. しか means 'only' and is always used with a negative verb.

Example

百円しか持っていません。

I only have 100 yen.

Words in this phrase

千

sen

[sen]

one thousand

The number one thousand; used as part of a larger price.

Example

千に二百円をたすと、せんにひゃくえんです。

If you add 200 yen to 1,000, it becomes 1,200 yen.

円

[en]

yen

The Japanese currency unit.

Example

チケットは八千円です。

The ticket is 8,000 yen.

しか

shika

[shika]

only

Used to emphasize exclusivity.

Example

君にしかできない仕事。

A job only you can do.

ないんです

nai n desu

I don't have (more than that)

ない means 'not have'. ～んです adds an explaining tone. Say 'nain-desu' smoothly.

Example

時間がないんです。

I don't have time.

Words in this phrase

ない

nai

[Nai]

not

Used to make a verb negative.

Example

行かない

I do not go.

ん

[n]

explanatory tone

ん adds an explanatory or noticing tone, like “so...” or “I see...”

Example

そう言うんですね。

So that’s how you say it, huh.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

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