JLPT N4 grammar

〜ばかりmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. Do only A; do nothing but A
  2. A just finished/ended/occurred.
  3. Shows a continual/continuing negative change A
  4. Around/about A; Approximately A

This point is also listed at N3 · N2 · N1.

How to form it

  • noun/number + counterばかり
  • verb (te-form)ばかりいる
  • verb (ta-form)ばかり
  • verb (dictionary form)ばかりだ

How it is used

After a noun or as 「〜てばかりいる」: “nothing but”, often critical. 「〜たばかり」: just did. 「〜るばかりだ」: things keep getting worse. After a number: “about”, a written usage.

Examples

  1. ゆうこちゃんは笑ってばかりだね。泣いたところを一回も見たことがない。

    Yuuko is always smiling. I haven't seen her crying a single time.

  2. 日本に来たばかりなので、まだ漢字があまり読めません。

    I've only just come to Japan, so I can't read much kanji yet.

  3. 弟は野菜を食べないで、肉ばかり食べている。

    My little brother won't eat vegetables; he eats nothing but meat.