〜ばかりだ bakari da

〜ばかりだ（bakari da）means “keeps ~ing (one-way change); only ~ left”. With a dictionary-form verb, expresses that a situation keeps changing in one direction only, usually for the worse: 'it just keeps getting ~. Formation: V（辞書形）＋ばかりだ

keeps ~ing (one-way change); only ~ left

N2

Formation

V（辞書形）＋ばかりだ

Explanation

With a dictionary-form verb, expresses that a situation keeps changing in one direction only, usually for the worse: 'it just keeps getting ~.' It can also mean 'all that's left to do is ~.'

Examples

対策をしなければ、状況は悪くなるばかりだ。
たいさくをしなければ、じょうきょうはわるくなるばかりだ。
If we take no measures, the situation will only keep getting worse.
準備は全部終わった。あとは本番を待つばかりだ。
じゅんびはぜんぶおわった。あとはほんばんをまつばかりだ。
All the preparation is done; now all that's left is to wait for the real event.

Note

Two senses: 'keeps changing one-way' (usually worsening) and 'all that's left is to ~.' Context disambiguates.

FAQ

〜ばかりだ — what does it mean and how is it used?

keeps ~ing (one-way change); only ~ left. With a dictionary-form verb, expresses that a situation keeps changing in one direction only, usually for the worse: 'it just keeps getting ~.' It can also mean 'all that's left to do is ~.'

〜ばかりだ — how do you form it?

V（辞書形）＋ばかりだ

〜ばかりだ — any usage notes?

Two senses: 'keeps changing one-way' (usually worsening) and 'all that's left is to ~.' Context disambiguates.

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