Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Nothing but or mostly
ばかり can show that one thing dominates. It often means “nothing but,” “mostly,” or “always doing the same kind of thing.”
Target signal
弟はゲームばかりしています。
My younger brother does nothing but play games.
Notice how Nothing But / Too Much Of: ばかり shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- しています
- am doing
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
- ゲーム
- game
Compare in context
甘いものばかり食べると、体によくありません。
If you eat nothing but sweet things, it is not good for your health.
Notice how Nothing But / Too Much Of: ばかり shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- くありません
- is not ... (polite i-adjective negative)
- ばかり
- just; only
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
Compare in context
あのクラスには男の子ばかりいます。
That class has almost only boys.
Notice how Nothing But / Too Much Of: ばかり shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
- クラス
- class
- ばかり
- just; only
Section 2 of 3
て-form + ばかりいる
V-てばかりいる emphasizes repeated action and often suggests criticism: someone keeps doing that one thing instead of something else.
Target signal
テレビを見てばかりいないで、勉強しなさい。
Do not just keep watching TV; study.
Notice how Nothing But / Too Much Of: ばかり shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ないで
- without doing; instead of doing
- テレビ
- TV; television
- ばかり
- just; only
Preview
文句を言ってばかりいても、何も変わりません。
Even if you do nothing but complain, nothing will change.
Notice how Nothing But / Too Much Of: ばかり shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- ばかり
- just; only
- ません
- polite negative verb ending
- 言って
- saying and...
Preview
最近は忙しくて、寝てばかりいます。
Recently I have been so tired that I keep sleeping.
Notice how Nothing But / Too Much Of: ばかり shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
- ばかり
- just; only
- いま
- now
Section 3 of 3
Reading nuance
ばかり does not always mean a mathematically exact 100 percent. It often reflects the speaker’s feeling that something is too frequent or too concentrated in one direction.
Target signal
休みの日は家にばかりいます。
On my days off, I am always at home.
Notice how Nothing But / Too Much Of: ばかり shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- います
- there is; exists (animate)
- ばかり
- just; only
- いま
- now
Preview
彼は自分の話ばかりします。
He talks only about himself.
Notice how Nothing But / Too Much Of: ばかり shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- します
- do
- ばかり
- just; only
- しま
- stripe; striped pattern
Preview
この店は高いものばかりで、何も買えませんでした。
This store had nothing but expensive things, so I could not buy anything.
Notice how Nothing But / Too Much Of: ばかり shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
- でした
- was; were (polite)
- ばかり
- just; only
- ません
- polite negative verb ending