Used with a negative verb to emphasize that there is only a small amount or degree (as in 'only a little').
今日はちょっとしか寝られなかった。
I was able to sleep only a little today.
お金がちょっとしかないから、外食はできない。
I only have a little money, so I can't eat out.
彼の話は時間がちょっとしかなかったので、全部聞けなかった。
He only had a little time, so I couldn't hear everything he said.