N2 Limits, Extent, and Range

~だけ: meaning, usage and examples

~だけ means: as... as possible / to the extent that...

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

Examples

1. できるだけ早はやく、連絡れんらくします。

   I'll contact you as soon as possible.

2. 知しっているだけのことを話はなしてください。

   Please tell me everything you know.

3. やるだけやったから、あとは結果けっかを待まつだけだ。

   I did all I could, so now I just have to wait for the results.

4. 好すきなだけ取とって、残のこさず食たべてください。

   Take as much as you like, but please eat everything you take.

When to use it

Means "as much as" one can, wants or likes: the full extent of an action. 好すきなだけ食たべてください means "Eat as much as you like." Set forms include できるだけ, 好すきなだけ, 欲ほしいだけ. The repeated form やるだけやった means "I did everything I could," usually before accepting whatever result comes.

Nuance

Neutral and everyday. やるだけやる carries resolution or calm acceptance. 言いいたいだけ言いう (said everything they wanted) can sound critical of someone who spoke selfishly. In polite requests, できるだけ is the safest form.

Compare

だけ meaning "only" limits: 一ひとつだけください. だけ meaning extent fills up to the limit: 欲ほしいだけ取とってください. だけあって is a different pattern, "as you would expect from": プロだけあって上手じょうずだ. できる限かぎり is a more formal できるだけ.

Tip: Verb + だけ + same verb: やるだけやった。あとは待まつだけ means "I did all I could. Now I just wait."