In Arabic, expressing "only" or "nothing but" is typically done using a restrictive structure that combines a negative word with the exception particle إلا (except).
The Formula for Exclusivity
To express "only," Arabic uses a negative exception structure. It literally translates to "does not do [something] except [the target]":
لا (not) + [Verb Phrase] + إلا (except) + [Target]
| Only the manager knows this secret. | لا يعرف هذا السر إلا المدير.lâ ya'rifu hâdhâ s-sirra illâ l-mudîru |
Notice how the verb phrase is negated with لا, and the target (the one who actually performs the action) is placed immediately after إلا.
| This is the best hall, and only members enter this exclusive place. | هذه أفضل قاعة، ولا يدخل هذا المكان الحصري إلا الأعضاء.hâdhihi afdalu qâ'atin, wa lâ yadkhulu hâdhâ al-makâna al-hasriyya illâ al-a'dâ'u |
Exclusivity with Prepositions
Often, the restriction applies to a prepositional phrase—for example, giving access "only to members" or entering "only with a permit." When a preposition is involved, it must be placed immediately after إلا, attaching directly to the noun.
| This is a private party; we only permit entry to the invitees. | هذه حفلة خاصة، لا نسمح بالدخول إلا للمدعوين.hâdhihi haflatun khâssatun, lâ nasmahu bid-dukhûli illâ lil-mad'uwwîna |
Here, the preposition لـ (to/for) is attached to the invitees right after إلا. The same rule applies to the preposition بـ (with/by):
| Please, this is a private building and you only enter with a permit. | من فضلك، هذا مبنى خاص ولا تدخل إلا بتصريح.min fadlika, hâdhâ mabnan khâssun walâ tadkhul illâ bitasrîhin |
Changing the Tense
To change the tense, simply swap out the present-tense لا for the appropriate negative particle.
To express the past, use لم followed by the jussive verb:
| The guard prevented everyone, and no one crossed the barrier except the manager. | منع الحارس الجميع، ولم يعبر الحاجز إلا المدير.mana'a al-hârisu al-jamî'a, wa lam ya'buri al-hâjiza illâ al-mudîru. |
For the future, use لن followed by the subjunctive verb:
| You will only cross this barrier with a permit. | لن تعبر هذا الحاجز إلا بتصريح.lan ta'bura hâdha al-hâjiza illâ bitasrîh. |