GRAMMAR
〜だけ ②
just for
might as well
Explanation
NOTE
〜だけ here means just for / might as well — doing something simply because there is no harm in it.
ダメかもしれないが、聞くだけ聞いてみよう。
It may not work, but we might as well ask.
NOTE
It repeats the same verb: Vだけ V — the speaker tries the action with no strong expectation.
無理だと思うが、頼むだけ頼んでみる。
I think it is impossible, but I might as well ask.
The same verb is repeated: 頼む then 頼んでみる.
NOTE
Attach だけ to a verb in dictionary form. The same verb is repeated after だけ.
STRUCTURE
V辞
だけ当たらないかもしれないが、買うだけ買ってみる。
Ataranai kamoshirenai ga, kau dake katte miru.
I may not win, but I might as well buy a ticket.
結果はどうあれ、挑戦するだけ挑戦する。
Kekka wa dou are, chousen suru dake chousen suru.
Whatever the result, I might as well give it a try.
返事はないと思うが、送るだけ送っておく。
Henji wa nai to omou ga, okuru dake okutte oku.
I doubt there will be a reply, but I might as well send it.
Practice exercises
1
失うものはないから、行くだけ行ってみなさい。
You have nothing to lose, so you might as well go and try.
Answer
だけ
2
損はない。話すだけ話してみよう。
There's no loss. I might as well just try talking.
Answer
だけ
3
「試すだけ試してみよう」と言う考え。
The idea of "I might as well try it."
Answer
だけ
4
「言うだけ言ってみよう」と思うのは、彼に限ったことではない。
Thinking "I might as well say it" is not limited to him.
Answer
だけ
5
努力もさることながら、休むだけ休んでみることも大事だ。
While effort is important, it's also crucial to just try resting.
Answer
だけ
6
ダメかもしれないが、聞くだけ聞いてみよう。
It may not work, but we might as well ask.
Answer
聞くだけ
7
無理だと思うが、頼むだけ頼んでみる。
I think it is impossible, but I might as well ask.
Answer
だけ
8
当たらないと思うが、買うだけ買ってみる。
I doubt I will win, but I might as well buy a ticket.
Answer
買うだけ