Sometimes, “only” doesn’t mean too little—it means so much of one thing that it’s overwhelming or surprising. That’s where ばかり comes in. This word is used when something happens all the time, when something is everywhere, or when it’s “nothing but” one thing. Let’s learn how to use ばかり in Japanese.
ばかり
Nothing But / All It Ever Does Is...
Usage Pattern
[Noun] +ばかり
[Verb (short form)] + ばかり+ いる
Details
JLPT Level: N4
How to Use It
ばかり expresses that something happens constantly, or that you see/hear/do something so much it feels like it’s the only thing. You can use it with nouns or verbs, depending on whether you’re talking about things or actions. This grammar has a nuance of surprise, frustration, or even exaggeration. For example, “It’s always raining!” or “All he eats is candy!” would both use ばかり in Japanese.
Want A Deeper Explanation?
Example 1
あの子はお菓子ばかり食べてる。
あのこ は おかし ばかり たべてる。
Ano ko wa okashi bakari tabeteru.
That kid eats nothing but sweets.
Example 2
最近は雨ばかりです。
さいきん は あめ ばかり です。
Saikin wa ame bakari desu.
It’s been nothing but rain lately.
Example 3
ゲームばかりしてると、目が悪くなるよ。
げーむ ばかり してる と、め が わるく なる よ。
Gēmu bakari shiteru to, me ga waruku naru yo.
If you keep playing games all the time, your eyesight will get worse.