ばかり

• Reading: ばかり
• Romaji: bakari
• Kanji breakdown: 許 (kyo/baka) — permit, approximately
• Pronunciation: /ba.ka.ɾi/

Meaning

Only; nothing but; just (did something). A particle expressing limitation or recency.

A versatile particle with two main uses. After た-form verbs, it means 'just did' (食べたばかり = just ate). After nouns or verbs, it means 'only/nothing but' (遊んでばかりいる = does nothing but play). Can be written 許り in kanji but hiragana is standard.

Examples

1. 今、起きたばかりです。 I just woke up.
2. 甘いものばかり食べてはいけません。 You shouldn't eat nothing but sweets.
3. 日本に来たばかりで、まだわからないことが多い。 I just got to Japan, so there's still a lot I don't know.

Usage Guide

Context: daily conversation, complaints, describing recent events

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Historically written as 許り, from 許 meaning 'approximately' or 'to that extent.' Over time, the meaning shifted from approximation to limitation and recency.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal