「〜だけでは」- "Just... is not enough"

Explanation

「〜だけでは」 is a Japanese grammar point used to express the idea that "just... is not enough." Its full structure is 「verb plain form/い-adjective plain form/な-adjective plain form」+「noun」+だけでは, indicating that relying solely on a certain condition or situation is insufficient to achieve a goal or result.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb plain form + だけでは	Verb plain form + だけでは	Indicates that just a certain action or condition is not enough to achieve a goal or result.
い-Adjective plain form + だけでは	い-Adjective plain form + だけでは	Indicates that just a certain quality or state is not enough to achieve a goal or result.
な-Adjective stem + な + だけでは	な-Adjective stem + な + だけでは	Indicates that just a certain quality or state is not enough to achieve a goal or result.
Noun + だけでは	Noun + だけでは	Indicates that just a certain thing or condition is not enough to achieve a goal or result.

Basic Usage

This grammar structure is often used to express that relying solely on one thing or condition is insufficient. It is typically followed by a negative form to emphasize the inadequacy.

Examples

• 行動こうどうせずに口くちだけでは成功せいこうできない。
• Koudou sezu ni kuchi dake de wa seikou dekinai.
• Just talking without taking action won't lead to success.
  

• 好きな事すきなことだけでは食くっていけない。
• Suki na koto dake de wa kutte ikenai.
• You can't make a living just by doing what you like.
  

• 俳優はいゆうという仕事しごとは、顔かおが整ととのっているだけではやっていけない。
• Haiyuu to iu shigoto wa, kao ga totonotte iru dake de wa yatte ikenai.
• You can't succeed as an actor just by having a good-looking face.
  

• 勉強べんきょうは、ただノートのーとに書かいているだけでは意味いみが無ない。
• Benkyou wa, tada nooto ni kaite iru dake de wa imi ga nai.
• Just writing in your notebook doesn't make studying meaningful.
  

• ちょっと散歩ちょっとさんぽするだけでは運動不足うんどうぶそくは解消かいしょうされない。
• Chotto sanpo suru dake de wa undou busoku wa kaishou sarenai.
• Just taking a short walk won't solve the lack of exercise.
  

Deep Dive

Basic Concept

The basic usage of 「〜だけでは」 is to indicate that the condition or situation mentioned is insufficient to lead to the desired result. It is often used in negative sentences to emphasize that even with a certain condition, the expected outcome cannot be achieved.

Complex Usage

In spoken language, 「〜だけでは」 is often shortened to 「〜だけじゃ」. For example:

• 年金ねんきんだけじゃ到底とうてい暮くらしていけない。
• Nenkin dake ja toutei kurashite ikenai.
• You can't possibly live just on a pension.
  

Comparison and Differences

「〜だけでは」vs.「〜だけ」

• 「〜だけ」 indicates limitation, meaning "only" or "just," while 「〜だけでは」 emphasizes that relying solely on a certain condition is not enough.
• 彼かれは勉強べんきょうだけしている。
• Kare wa benkyou dake shite iru.
• He is only studying.
  

• 彼かれは勉強べんきょうだけでは成功せいこうできない。
• Kare wa benkyou dake de wa seikou dekinai.
• He can't succeed just by studying.
  

Real-Life Scenarios

• In the workplace, this grammar can be used to explain to colleagues that individual effort alone is not enough to complete a project.
• In family discussions, it can be used to emphasize that relying solely on income is not enough to sustain family life.

Summary

「〜だけでは」 is used to express that a certain condition is insufficient to achieve the desired result. It is commonly used in negative sentences to emphasize the inadequacy of the condition. Comparing it with similar grammar points helps to better understand its usage and context.