Meaning
This form often has two meanings: “just did” and “do nothing but that.”
Formation
- た form + ばかり: just now: 食べたばかりです
- Noun + ばかり: nothing but: 肉ばかり
- て form + ばかりいる: does nothing else: 遊んでばかりいる
When to use it
- Core use
- Just did, or does nothing but
Example
さっき昼ご飯を食べたばかりです
I just ate lunch.
Important notes
- Pay attention to the word form before the construction and to the particles around it.
Common mistakes
- Do not translate the pattern word for word; first identify its function in the whole situation.