N1 Intention and Volition

ただ〜のみだ: meaning, usage and examples

ただ〜のみだ means: all one can do is... / just... / only...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 今いまはただ、彼かれの無事ぶじを祈いのるのみだ。

   All I can do now is just pray for his safety.

2. 言いい訳わけはしない。ただ結果けっかで示しめすのみだ。

   No excuses. I will simply let the results speak.

3. 準備じゅんびはすべて整ととのった。あとはただ本番ほんばんを待まつのみだ。

   Everything is ready. All that's left is to wait for the real thing.

4. 結果けっかがどうであれ、私わたしたちはただ全力ぜんりょくを尽つくすのみです。

   Whatever the outcome, all we can do is give it everything we have.

When to use it

Says that only one action remains or is possible: "all one can do is ...". Often after あとは or 今いまは, when everything else is done or out of your hands. Example: 今いまはただ無事ぶじを祈いのるのみだ, all I can do now is pray they are safe.

Nuance

Formal and written, with resolve or resignation. Usually about the speaker's own situation. The verb is an action you choose (待まつ, 祈いのる, 全力ぜんりょくを尽つくす); it does not state a general rule or recipe.

Compare

だけだ is the everyday version: あとは待まつだけだ. のみだ is the written form. までだ means "if needed, I will simply do it": だめなら別べつの方法ほうほうを探さがすまでだ. ただ〜のみ is "only this is left"; までだ is "this is my fallback".

Tip: Replace のみ with だけ in your head to check the meaning, then keep のみ for formal writing.