けいむしょ では ねむる だけ だった。
keimusho de wa nemuru dake datta.
In prison, I was only sleeping.
It’s a real simple word, but you gotta know how to use it right. This ain’t no complicated jive. だけ (dake) is a real straightforward word that means “only” or “just.” It’s used to limit something, to put a fence around it and say, “This is it, and nothing else.” It’s a word for when you’re keepin’ it exclusive, you feel me?
The nuance is all about limitation and exclusion. It means “only”, “just”, or “nothing but”. It puts a tight circle around somethin’, tellin’ you that’s the whole shebang, and there ain’t no more to it. You say, “I got dake,” and it means “I got only this.” No more, no less. It’s like when the connect says, “I got a pound of that good stuff, dake,” you know that’s all he has, and you ain’t gettin’ nothin’ extra.
| Part of Speech | How to use it | Example |
| Noun | Add だけ right after the noun. | お金だけ okane dake only money |
| Verb (Plain form) | Add だけ right after the verb. | するだけ suru dake only do |
| adjective | Add だけ right after the adjective. | 寒いだけ samui dake only cold |
You feel me? It’s a cinch. Just take your noun or your plain form verb or your adjective and just put “dake” right on the tail end. No need to change the word up or nuthin’, just tack it on. It’s like adding a new piece to your outfit, it just goes right on top. So if you wanna say “only money,” you just say “okane dake” (おかねだけ). Simple.
Let’s break down these words for you, straight up.
みはっている (Mihate iru)
English: Staking out; keeping watch.
You gotta stay on your toes, fam. When you’re みはっている, you’re posted up, eyes peeled, watching a spot or a person. You’re tryna see who’s comin’ and goin’ before you make your move. The cops do it when they’re tryna bust a crew, and we do it to make sure the coast is clear. It’s all about being observant and not gettin’ caught slippin’.
けいむしょ (Keimusho)
English: Prison; penitentiary; jail.
This is where they send you when the game gets real and you lose. It’s the big house, the pen, the joint. It’s a place where they lock you up and throw away the key. You definitely don’t want to end up in the けいむしょ if you can help it. It’s not a place for a hustler to be.
はめる (Hameru)
English: To set someone up; to frame.
This is some grimy, shady business. When you はめる someone, you trick ’em or frame ’em so they take the fall for something you did. It’s when you make it look like they committed a crime, even though they’re innocent. It’s a snake move, and real Gs don’t play like that.
あにき (Aniki)
English: Older brother; boss; leader.
In the streets, this ain’t just about family. When you call a dude あにき, you’re showin’ respect. He’s the one you look up to, the one who runs the show, your mentor in the game. He’s the OG, the leader of the pack, the dude with the wisdom you can learn from. It’s a title you gotta earn.
けいかん (Keikan)
English: Police officer; cop.
These are the boys in blue. The ones tryna put you away and shut down the operation. We call ’em the fuzz, the po-po, the law. When the けいかん show up, it’s time to disappear. Stay low, stay quiet, and don’t make eye contact. You know the drill.
Check out these sentences, and you’ll get the picture.
くみちょう は おかね だけが だいじ だ。
Kumichou wa okane dake ga daiji da.
The boss only cares about money.
おれたち だけ が この うらみち を しっている。
oretachi dake ga kono uramichi o shitteiru.
Only we know this back alley.
おれたち は めんつ だけは まもる。
Oretachi wa mentsu dake wa mamoru.
We will protect our respect (and nothing else).
おやぶん は おれ に、みはっている だけ と いった。
oyabun wa ore ni, mihatteiru dake to itta.
The boss told me to just keep watch.
この しごと は きょう だけ だ。
kono shigoto wa kyou dake da.
This job is just for today.
けいむしょ では ねむる だけ だった。
keimusho de wa nemuru dake datta.
In prison, I was only sleeping.
くすり は この ふくろ だけ だ。
Kusuri wa kono fukuro dake da.
The drugs are only in this bag.
しごと は ちゃか を もって いくだけ だ。
Shigoto wa chaka o motte iku dake da.
The only job is to bring the gun.
やつ だけを はめる。
Yatsu dake o hameru.
I’m only going to set that guy up.
あにき だけが おれ の みかた だ。
Aniki dake ga ore no mikata da.
Only my older brother is on my side.
Aight, that’s the deal. Stay safe out there, and don’t be a fool. Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut. Peace out.
Leave a comment