Français — The restriction ne…que
The construction ne…que means "only": in il n'a que dix euros it limits, without negating. The que comes right before the word it restricts, and it is a common alternative to seulement.
How it works
The ne wraps the verb as usual, but que is placed directly before the element that is being limited: Il ne boit que de l'eau ("He drinks only water"). The restriction bears on whatever follows que, so moving que changes the meaning: Je ne mange qu'à midi (only at noon) vs Je ne mange que des légumes (only vegetables).
Examples
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Il n'a que dix euros. | He has only ten euros. |
| Elle ne parle que français. | She speaks only French. |
| Je ne mange qu'à midi. | I eat only at noon. |
| Nous ne restons que deux jours. | We are staying only two days. |
| Il ne fait que dormir. | He does nothing but sleep. |
| Ça ne fait que commencer. | It is only just beginning. |
Good to know
ne…que is not a real negation: it takes no pas, and the noun after it keeps its normal article — Il n'a que dix euros, not "Il n'a que d'euros". It equals seulement (Il a seulement dix euros), but seulement is an adverb placed freely, whereas que must sit right before the restricted word. To say "do nothing but", use ne faire que + infinitive: Il ne fait que se plaindre ("He does nothing but complain").