I am very confused by the meaning of 'Je n'ai plus qu'à toucher ta bille'

Question

I looked it up so know that it means "I just have to touch your marble" but can this be explained on how it means that? Why is plus included in this ?Thanks!

Accepted Answer

Bonjour James,
Alan is correct ! Here are some examples to help with this expression:

Ne … plus que + noun =
il n’attend plus que ton feu vert = He is only waiting for your green light
Je n’ai plus que du fromage = I have nothing left but cheese

Ne … plus qu’à + infinitive verb =
Il n’a plus qu’à faire ses devoirs = all he has left to do is / he only has to do his homework
Il ne lui reste qu’à finir le papier peint = all he has left to do is to finish off the wallpaper
Je n’ai plus qu’à toucher ta bille = I have nothing left to do but to touch your marble
Je n’ai plus qu’à acheter une voiture = I have nothing left to do but to buy a car

I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Answer

Hi James,I would translate it as "I have no more (n'ai plus) than to (qu'à) touch your marble"What you have written is also correct but doesn't explain the french text.Hope you agree.Jim

Answer

This is a standard comparison: ne..plus que -- not more than.

Answer

Literally it's "have nothing left to do but ...".https://french.stackexchange.com/questions/19424/what-is-the-meaning-of-navoir-plus-qu%C3%A0