Japanese word

のみ

Pronunciation

Romajinomi

Meaning

  • particleonly

Example

水のみです。mizu no mi de su

It is only water.

Illustration for のみ (only)

More examples

この施設は会員のみ利用できます。ko no shi setsu wa kai in no mi ri yō de ki ma su

Only members can use this facility.

Core concept

Marks the boundary of what is included so that nothing beyond it is counted.

Common phrases

  • これのみko re no mi

    only this

  • 一度のみichi do no mi

    only once

  • 大人のみotona no mi

    adults only

Similar words

だけdake: A common particle that indicates that the stated item or range is the only one included.
しかshika: A particle that means only and requires a negative expression in the predicate.

Definition in Japanese

対象を一つの事柄や範囲に限定する意を表す語。tai shō o hito tsu no koto gara ya han i ni gen tei su ru i o arawa su go

Word origin

のみ (nomi, "only") is an old Japanese limiting particle that has continued from Old Japanese into modern usage; no more specific origin is certain.

Usage tips

  • Compared with everyday wording, のみ (nomi) sounds more formal and frequently appears in signs, rules, and written announcements.

Word lists with this word