Japanese word

オンリー

Pronunciation

Romajionrī

Meaning

  • nounonly

Example

この店は現金オンリーです。ko no mise wa gen kin o n rī de su

This store is cash only.

Illustration for オンリー (only)

More examples

この講座は日本語オンリーで進みます。ko no kō za wa nihon go o n rī de susu mi ma su

This course is conducted in Japanese only.

Core concept

Presents one option as the complete range, leaving no room for additional choices or alternatives.

Common phrases

  • 現金オンリーgen kin o n rī

    cash only

  • 会員オンリーkai in o n rī

    members only

  • 学生オンリーgaku sei o n rī

    students only

Definition in Japanese

ある条件や種類だけを選び、ほかを認めないこと。a ru jō ken ya shu rui da ke o era bi ho ka o mito me na i ko to

Word origin

オンリー (onrī, "only") entered Japanese from English only, a word derived from Old English ānlic, formed from ān, "one," and -līċ, "like."

Usage tips

  • The English word only usually modifies another word or clause, while Japanese オンリー (onrī) is also used by itself as a noun in casual speech.

Word lists with this word