〜ばかり — Just did, or does nothing but | JLPT N4 grammar

Meaning

This form often has two meanings: “just did” and “do nothing but that.”

20 sentences

さっき昼ご飯ひるごはんを食べたたべたばかりです
I just ate lunch.
日本にほんに来たきたばかりです
I just came to Japan.
弟おとうとは甘いあまい物ものばかり食べたべます
My younger brother eats nothing but sweets.
その子こは質問しつもんばかりしてなかなか帰りかえりません
That child does nothing but ask questions and does not go home easily.
引っ越しひっこししたばかりなのにもう近くちかくの店みせを全部ぜんぶ知っしっています
Even though he just moved, he already knows all the nearby shops.
その猫ねこは暖かいあたたかいところで寝てねてばかりいます
That cat does nothing but sleep in warm places.
家いえに来きたばかりの子犬こいぬは寝ねてばかりいます
The puppy that just came to our home does nothing but sleep.
雨あめがやんだばかりで空そらに虹にじが出でました
The rain has just stopped, and a rainbow appeared in the sky.

12 more examples

兄あには休みやすみの日ひにゲームばかりしています
My older brother does nothing but play games on his days off.
このパンは焼けやけたばかりでまだ温かいあたたかいです
This bread has just been baked and is still warm.
このパソコンは昨日きのう買っかったばかりです
I only bought this computer yesterday.
昼ご飯ひるごはんを食べたべたばかりなのでまだお腹おなかが空いすいていません
I have just had lunch, so I am not hungry yet.
日本にほんに来きたばかりで道みちが分かりわかりません
I have only just come to Japan and do not know the way around.
仕事しごとを始めはじめたばかりなので毎日まいにち緊張きんちょうします
I have only just started the job and feel nervous every day.
弟おとうとはお菓子おかしばかり食べたべています
My younger brother eats nothing but sweets.
同じおなじ話はなしばかり聞きききました
I heard nothing but the same stories.
今日きょうは失敗しっぱいばかりです
Today is one mistake after another.
子どもこどもは遊んあそんでばかりいます
The child does nothing but play.
休みやすみの日ひは寝ねてばかりいました
On my days off I did nothing but sleep.
文句もんくを言っいってばかりいないでください
Please do not spend all your time complaining.

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

Sentence 1: 兄あには休みやすみの日ひにゲームばかりしています This bag is too expensive.I only have Sunday off.My older brother does nothing but play games on his days off.
Sentence 2: 弟おとうとはお菓子おかしばかり食べたべています There is only milk in the refrigerator.I ate too much yesterday.My younger brother eats nothing but sweets.
Sentence 3: 文句もんくを言っいってばかりいないでください This problem is too difficult.You can only use cash at this shop.Please do not spend all your time complaining.

The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.