Explanation
〜ばかり = "only / nothing but". 〜たばかり = "just did". 〜てばかりいる = keep doing (negatively).
Formation: Verb た form + ばかり (just did); Noun + ばかり (only, nothing but). ばかりでなく means not only.
Usage & nuance: 〜ばかり emphasises that something was just done, or that a thing or action dominates to the exclusion of others.
Compare: 〜ばかり means just now or only, 〜だけ means merely, and 〜ところだ pinpoints the exact stage of an action.
हिंदी में समझें
〜ばかり = "सिर्फ़"। 〜たばかり = "अभी-अभी किया"। 〜てばかりいる = "बस करते रहना" (नकारात्मक)।
Examples
- あそんでばかりいます。 (Asonde bakari imasu.)
हिंदी: बस खेलते रहते हो।
English: You do nothing but play. - たべたばかりです。 (Tabeta bakari desu.)
हिंदी: अभी-अभी खाया।
English: I just ate. - 今、帰ってきたばかりです。 (Ima, kaette kita bakari desu.)
हिंदी: मैं अभी-अभी लौटा हूँ।
English: I just got back now. - 彼は文句ばかり言っている。 (Kare wa monku bakari itte iru.)
हिंदी: वह सिर्फ़ शिकायतें करता रहता है।
English: He does nothing but complain.
Common mistakes
- たばかり vs たところ → たばかり = recently (subjective); たところ = just now (literal) — Slight timing difference.
Practice this topic
Test your understanding with 2 questions on 〜ばかり — Only / Just.