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The Negative Limit-Indicating Particle

The function of "sika" is similar to that of "dake", but it
is always followed by a negative verb. Its use indicates that what
precedes it is the maximum limit, whereas "dake" indicates a
precise or specific limit.

Examples:

sen-en dake motte imasu (affirmative).
1,000 yen have
(I) have (only) 1,000 yen.

sen-en sika motte imasen (negative).
1,000 yen not have
(I) have (only) 1,000 yen [and no more].

sika is also used when the speaker wants to indicate
that what precedes it is considered small, insufficient, or
unsatisfactory.

Kanji wa nihyaku sika shirimasen.
Chinese character(s) two hundred do not know
(I) know (only) 200 Chinese characters.

Another function of sika is its use after verbs to indicate
that the action of the verb is the only course of action available.

Example:

Depaato wa shimatte ita kara akirameru sika arimasen desita.
department store closed since resign myself nothing was
Since the department store was closed, (there) was nothing
(I could do but) resign myself [to not being able to buy something]. 

sika is also be used following the to particle in expresssions
such as to...omou. In this usage the verb is in the potential "can" negative form.

Kare wa kurutte iru to sika omoemasen.
he is crazy can not think
(I) cannot (but) think (that) he is crazy.
[I can only think that he is crazy.]

Sample Sentences:

Eigo sika dekimasen.
English cannot
(I) can (only) (speak) English.

Kyou wa asagohan sika tabete imasen.
today breakfast not eaten
Today (I) (have) (only) eaten breakfast.

Kare wa inai kara jibun de yaru sika arimasen.
he is not since myself do there is nothing
Since he is not (here), there is nothing (to do) (but) do (it) myself.

Sen-en sika motte inai kara kanojo ni kariru sika arimasen.
1,000 yen not have since she/her borrow there is nothing
Since (I) (only) have 1,000 yen, there is nothing (to do) (but) borrow (from) her.

Kare wa nemutte iru to sika omoemasen.
he is asleep can not think
(I) cannot (but) think (that) he is asleep.
[I can only think that he is asleep.]

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