〜ばかり

Just; Only; Nothing but

1. Meaning

「〜ばかり」 is used to indicate that something has "just" happened, someone "only" does something, or a situation consists of "nothing but" a particular thing. It emphasizes a sense of exclusivity, repetitiveness, or completion.

2. Overview

「〜ばかり」 is versatile and can describe actions that have just been completed, or situations where only one thing is happening repeatedly. It conveys a sense of monotony, repetition, or completion, depending on the context.

3. Structure

• Grammar Structure:

  • Verb (past form) + ばかり: Indicates something has just happened.
  • Noun + ばかり: Indicates "only" or "just" this one thing.
  • Verb (て form) + ばかりいる: Indicates someone repeatedly does the same thing.

• Explanation: 「〜ばかり」 can express time (just happened), quantity (only that thing), or habitual action (doing the same thing repeatedly). It often emphasizes a singular focus on something.

4. Usage Explanation

• Time Usage: Verb (past form) + ばかり indicates that something has just been completed and refers to recent events.

• Quantity or Range Usage: Noun + ばかり expresses the idea that nearly everything is one thing or type.

• Habitual Behavior Usage: Verb (て form) + ばかりいる is used to indicate that someone keeps doing the same thing, often with a negative or critical nuance.

5. Example Sentences

1. 彼はさっき帰ったばかりだ。
   He just went home.

2. 甘いものばかり食べていると、太りますよ。
   If you only eat sweets, you'll gain weight.

3. 彼女はテレビばかり見ている。
   She does nothing but watch TV.

4. この店にはお菓子ばかり売っている。
   This shop only sells sweets.

5. 食べたばかりだから、お腹がいっぱいです。
   I just ate, so I'm full.

6. Alternative Grammar

• 〜ばかりでなく: Can be used to mean "not only... but also..." and adds additional information, different from the exclusivity of「〜ばかり」.
  • Example: 彼は勉強ばかりでなく、スポーツも得意です。
    He’s not only good at studying but also at sports.

7. Similar Grammar

• 〜たばかりに: Indicates that the result or reason of an action, often with a negative consequence.

  • Example: お金をなくしたばかりに、旅行に行けなくなった。
    Just because I lost money, I couldn’t go on the trip.

• 〜だらけ: Used to express that something is full of or covered with something, often with a negative nuance.

  • Example: 部屋がほこりだらけだ。
    The room is full of dust.

8. Key Points to Note

• Context: 「〜ばかり」 can express something that has just happened, a situation where only one thing is happening, or a repetitive behavior.

• Tone: The phrase 「〜ばかりいる」 is often used with a negative tone, implying criticism or dissatisfaction with repetitive actions.

9. Summary

「〜ばかり」 is a versatile structure used to indicate recent events, exclusivity, or habitual actions. It highlights something that just happened, happens frequently, or dominates a certain context. It's a common expression in both spoken and written Japanese, used to limit or emphasize an event, action, or thing.