slechts

While 'alleen' means 'alone' or 'only', 'slechts' strictly means 'only' in the sense of a limited amount. Think: 'alleen' as 'solitary', 'slechts' as 'just' (a few).

Both can mean 'only', but 'maar' is very common as 'but'. If you mean 'only a small amount', 'slechts' is often a more precise choice than 'maar'.

Remember 'enkel' can also mean 'ankle'. When it means 'only', it often emphasizes singularity more than 'slechts' does.

'Enkel' can mean 'only' or 'single' and is often confused with 'slechts' due to overlapping meanings.

'Enkel' emphasizes singularity or uniqueness, while 'slechts' emphasizes limitation or smallness of quantity/amount. 'Enkel' can also mean 'ankle'.

Ik heb enkel één appel. (I only have one apple.)

'Alleen' can mean 'only' but also 'alone', leading to confusion with 'slechts'.

'Alleen' often implies being solitary or exclusively, while 'slechts' more directly refers to a small amount or limitation. 'Alleen' can also mean 'lonely'.

Hij woont alleen in dat grote huis. (He lives alone in that big house.)

'Maar' can mean 'but' or 'only' and is frequently used interchangeably with 'slechts' in some contexts.

While 'maar' can express 'only' in a limiting sense, it's a very common conjunction for 'but'. 'Slechts' is more specific to the 'only' meaning with an emphasis on a small quantity.

Ik heb maar drie boeken. (I only have three books.)

'Uitsluitend' means 'exclusively' or 'only', and learners might use it where 'slechts' is more appropriate.

'Uitsluitend' carries a stronger sense of exclusion and uniqueness, implying nothing else is included. 'Slechts' focuses on the limited quantity or amount.

Dit aanbod is uitsluitend voor nieuwe klanten. (This offer is exclusively for new customers.)

'Nauwelijks' means 'hardly' or 'barely', which can be confused with 'only a small amount' as implied by 'slechts'.

'Nauwelijks' suggests something is almost not happening or is very difficult to do, focusing on the difficulty or rarity. 'Slechts' simply states a small quantity.

Ze kon nauwelijks spreken na de schok. (She could hardly speak after the shock.)