JLPT N3 grammar
ばかり — Meaning & Examples
"Nothing but / always." Often slightly negative — implies someone is doing/eating/etc. too much of one thing. ゲームばかり = nothing but games (mild complaint).
ばかり — "Nothing But / Always"
ばかり expresses repetition or exclusivity, often with a slightly negative or exasperated tone.
Pattern A: [noun] + ばかり = "nothing but / only X"
弟はゲームばかりしています。
= My brother does nothing but play games. (mild complaint)
アイスばかり食べないで！
= Don't just eat ice cream! (mum-talk)
Pattern B: [て-form verb] + ばかりいる = "always doing X"
彼は寝てばかりいます。
= He's always sleeping. (frustrated)
泣いてばかりいないで、頑張って！
= Don't just keep crying — try your best!
Pattern C: [た-form verb] + ばかり = "just did" (recently)
食べたばかりです。 = I just ate.
（Note: this is the N4 〜たばかり pattern!）
Nuance check:
- だけ = neutral
- しか〜ない = wishful, scarce
- ばかり = exasperated, "too much of one thing"
Mastering these three is one of the markers of moving from N4 to N3 fluency.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on ばかり. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which "only" is paired with a NEGATIVE verb?
- だけ (dake)
- しか (shika)
- ばかり (bakari)
- のみ (nomi)
Show answer
Answer: しか (shika)
しか ALWAYS pairs with a negative verb. 千円しかない = I only have 1000 yen. Without the negative, it doesn't mean "only."
2. "I only have 1000 yen" (with feeling of scarcity) is?
- 千円だけあります
- 千円ばかりあります
- 千円しかありません
- 千円ばかりです
Show answer
Answer: 千円しかありません
For "only" with scarcity/disappointment, use しか + negative. 千円しかありません implies "not enough!"
3. Which feeling does ばかり often carry?
- Neutral fact
- Sad scarcity
- Politeness
- Excess / "nothing but"
Show answer
Answer: Excess / "nothing but"
ばかり carries a tone of excess or repetition, often slight complaint. ゲームばかり = nothing but games.
Practise ばかり in the free app
This point is part of the “"Only" Expressions — だけ・しか・ばかり” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N3 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N3 grammar points
From the same lesson: "Only" Expressions — だけ・しか・ばかり
Frequently asked questions
What does ばかり mean?
"Nothing but / always." Often slightly negative — implies someone is doing/eating/etc. too much of one thing. ゲームばかり = nothing but games (mild complaint).
Is ばかり on the JLPT N3 test?
ばかり is taught in the JLPT N3 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “"Only" Expressions — だけ・しか・ばかり”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise ばかり?
Open the “"Only" Expressions — だけ・しか・ばかり” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N3 mock exams, with no ads.