ばかり
Only / Just / Full Of
bakari
TypeFocus
JLPT Leveln4
Summary
Indicates that something is all there is (biased quantity), just happened, or is about to happen.
Usage Rules
- •ばかり〜る/いる: biased quantity (only/just, more than expected)
- •たばかり: just finished (past event)
- •ようとするばかり: about to
- •ばかりに: precisely because (often negative result)
- •ばかりか: not only〜but also
- •ばかりでなく: not only (formal)
Example Sentences
まんがばかり読んでいる。
I only read manga (too much).
食べたばかりです。
I just ate.
かれはないてばかりいる。
He just cries all the time.
ちこくしたばかりにしかられた。
I got scolded precisely because I was late.
かんじばかりで読めない。
It's all kanji so I can't read it.
Common Mistake
Overusing ばかり (which implies excess/unfair amount) when だけ (neutral) is more appropriate.