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Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 26

Structure of ~たばかり:

Verb[た]+ ばかり

Details about ~たばかり:

As an adverbial particle, ばかり usually has one of three basic meanings.
Degree: 程度(ていど) - Highlights the 'rough' amount/degree of something (similar to くらい).
Limit: 限定(げんてい) - Highlights the 'limit' of something (similar to だけ).
Completion: 完了(かんりょう) - Highlights the 'end', or 'completion' of something.
In this lesson, we will focus primarily on the completion meaning. When connecting ばかり to the past form of a verb (using た), it will imply that a specific action has 'just finished', 'just stopped', or 'just been completed'.
  • (えき)()たばかり友達(ともだち)から「やっぱり今日(きょう)(あそ)ないメッセージ()
    Just as I got to the station, I got a message from my friend saying, 'Actually, I can't hang out today'.
  • 一回(いっかい)(おく)たばかり先生(せんせい)(おこ)られ
    I got scolded by my teacher for being late just once.
  • さっき()たばかりから、お(なか)まだ()ていない
    I just ate earlier, so I am still not hungry.
~たばかり

Usage Notes for ~たばかり:

Synonyms for ~たばかり:

たところだ
Just finished doing, Was just doing
たとたんに
The instant or moment, As soon as, Just as
たて
Freshly ~ed, Just ~ed

Example of ~たばかり

(いま)(いえ)()たばかりです

I just left home.

電車(でんしゃ)()たばかり携帯(けいたい)()とした

Just when I got on the train, I dropped my phone.

ユミ彼氏(かれし)出来(でき)()たばかり

I just heard that Yumi got a boyfriend.

また海外(かいがい)()の?先週(せんしゅう)台湾(たいわん)()たばかりじゃない

You are going abroad again? Didn't you just go to Taiwan last week?

その漢字(かんじ)(なら)たばかりなのにもう(わす)

Even though I just learned that kanji, I already forgot it.

Grammar same lesson

様(よう)に言(い)う

To tell, request, or order to do (in such a way)
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~ている所(ところ)だ

In the process of doing ~ right now/at this moment
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様(よう)にする

To try to, To make sure to, To endeavor to
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なければならない

Must do, Have to do
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様(よう)に祈(いの)る

Pray that/for, Hope that/for, Keep fingers crossed that
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