JLPT N4 grammar
～たばかり — Meaning & Examples
"Just did." た-form + ばかり. Subjective recency — minutes to days ago depending on context.
～たばかり — "Just Did"
～たばかり means "just did" — an action completed very recently.
Form: た-form + ばかり
食べたばかり (tabeta bakari) = just ate
起きたばかり (okita bakari) = just woke up
会ったばかり (atta bakari) = just met
Examples:
食べたばかりだから、おなかいっぱいです。(tabeta bakari dakara, onaka ippai desu.)
= I'm full because I just ate.
このアプリは今朝ダウンロードしたばかりです。(kono apuri wa kesa daunrōdo shita bakari desu.)
= I just downloaded this app this morning.
Note: Subjective "just" — could be a few minutes or even days ago, depending on what feels recent in context. ～たところ (just did) is similar but stricter (only very recent).
Practice questions
Try this question on ～たばかり. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. "食べたばかり" means?
- Eaten a lot
- Just ate
- Will eat soon
- Only eats
Show answer
Answer: Just ate
～たばかり = just did. 食べたばかり = just ate (subjective recency).
Practise ～たばかり in the free app
This point is part of the “Trying, Doing for Practice, and Just Did” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N4 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
Free on iPhone and Android · No ads
Related N4 grammar points
From the same lesson: Trying, Doing for Practice, and Just Did
Frequently asked questions
What does ～たばかり mean?
"Just did." た-form + ばかり. Subjective recency — minutes to days ago depending on context.
Is ～たばかり on the JLPT N4 test?
～たばかり is taught in the JLPT N4 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Trying, Doing for Practice, and Just Did”), 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 ～たばかり?
Open the “Trying, Doing for Practice, and Just Did” 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 N4 mock exams, with no ads.