Learning objectives
- Lesson goals: Learn te bakari iru for "doing nothing but X" — often with critical tone. Not to be confused with ta bakari.
- Form and connection: [Verb te-form] ばかり
- Nuance in real use: てばかりいる is a go-to grammar for expressing dissatisfaction — it doesn't criticize the person directly but describes their behavioral pattern. "You're always playing" is more subtle than "you're lazy," fitting Japanese indirect criticism style.
Form and connection
Core Explanation
Learn te bakari iru for "doing nothing but X" — often with critical tone. Not to be confused with ta bakari.
Cultural Note
Practical examples
Common pitfalls
Build the base form before adding the pattern
Complete the required conjugation first. Do not keep polite and plain endings at the same time.
Match politeness to the situation
The examples are reliable starting points; relationships and context can still change the most natural wording.
Practice and answers
Show answer
[Verb te-form] ばかりShow answer
Stop doing nothing but playing and study.Show answer
甘あまいものばかり食たべていると太ふとるよ。 ([Verb te-form] ばかり)Continue learning
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