Learn Japanese grammar: ばかり (bakari). Meaning: only; nothing but.
- This grammar point literally means “only” or “nothing but”, and is often used to express surprise, shock, and even judgement (in a negative way).
- It is not always used in a negative way, and can simply be used to say “only” or express surprise.
- You’ll have to interpret the intended meaning based on the context.
Example A
6月は雨ばかりです！
roku gatsu wa ame bakari desu!
It’s constantly raining in June / It’s nothing but rain, It’s always raining, etc..
Other Variations
ばかり (bakari) is a very complex grammar point with many different variations.
- When used with a noun that indicates time or distance it means “about”. See N2 lesson for ばかり (bakari).
- To describe a negative continuous / repetitive action, use ばかりいる (bakari iru)
- When used with a past tense verb it means “just finished”. See たばかり (ta bakari).
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ばかり - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
Click the below red button to toggle off and and on all of the hints, and you can click on the buttons individually to show only the ones you want to see.
Example #1
娘はテレビばかり見ている。
Example #2
彼はお金ばかり考えている。
Example #3
甘いものばかり食べると太ります。
Example #4
嘘ばかりつく人が嫌いだ。
Example #5
得るものはなく、失うものばかりだ。
Example #6
このカフェのお客さんは女性ばかりですね。
Example #7
子どもの頃は体が弱くて病気ばかりしていました。
Vocabulary List 語彙
| Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
|---|---|---|
| 雨 | あめ | rain |
| 娘 | むすめ | daughter |
| 彼 | かれ | he |
| 考える | かんがえる | to think |
| お客さん | おきゃくさん | customer |
| 女性 | じょせい | girl; female |
| 甘いもの | あまいもの | sweets |
| 太る | ふとる | to gain weight |
| 嘘 | うそ | lie |
| 嫌い | きらい | hate |
| 得る | える | to gain |
| 失う | うしなう | to lose |
| 頃 | ころ | time period |
| 体 | からだ | body |
| 弱い | よわい | weak |
| 病気 | びょき | sick |
View all JLPT N4 Vocabulary Lessons
View all JLPT N4 Grammar Lessons
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