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JLPT N3Formal Expressions

～のみ— Only, and Nothing Else (Formal)

A formal, written equivalent of だけ, meaning 'only' or 'nothing but'. It limits something to a single item or scope and carries a stiff, official, or literary tone. You will see it on signs, in documents, notices, and formal writing rather than in casual conversation.

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Pro lessonUNIT 117 · FORMAL EXPRESSIONS

Structure · 形

[Noun] + のみ ; [Verb plain form] + のみ

Examples · 例文

  • 当店は現金のみのお取り扱いとなります。

    Touten wa genkin nomi no otoriatsukai to narimasu.

    Our store accepts cash only.

    のみ replaces だけ in a formal notice — 'cash only'.

  • 会員のみご入場いただけます。

    Kaiin nomi go-nyuujou itadakemasu.

    Members only may enter.

    のみ limits entry strictly to members in polite, official language.

  • あとは結果を待つのみだ。

    Ato wa kekka o matsu nomi da.

    All that's left is to wait for the results.

    Verb + のみ here means 'nothing to do but ~', a set literary use.

Usage notes · 注意

  • Register: formal/written; the everyday spoken equivalent is だけ.
  • Common in signage, notices, contracts, and essays.
  • のみならず ('not only ~ but also') is a related formal expression.
  • Verb + のみだ often expresses 'there is nothing left but to ~'.

Commonly confused with

The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones ～のみ is tested against.

vsだけ

だけ has the same 'only' meaning but is neutral/casual and used in everyday speech; のみ is its formal, written counterpart.

vsばかり

ばかり means 'only/nothing but' with a nuance of excess or 'always doing'; のみ is a plain, formal limitation without that negative connotation.

More formal expressions

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