Japanese grammar
What does ～ばかりに mean? Japanese grammar N2
～ばかりに means just because of… (which led to a bad outcome).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N2 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Plain form + ばかりに な形 + な + ばかりに N + である + ばかりに |
| Romaji | bakarini |
| Meaning | just because of… (which led to a bad outcome) |
Forming it
| Verb | 遅れた → 遅れたばかりに |
|---|---|
| na-adjective | 正直 → 正直なばかりに |
How to use it
States a SMALL cause that leads to an unfortunate, bad consequence. Always carries regret.
- 「～ばかりに」 = just because…: 「一言多く言ったばかりに、彼を怒らせてしまった」.
- The second clause MUST be a BAD consequence that has already happened; a good consequence uses 「おかげで」.
- The cause is usually something small, so the sentence carries a tone of "if only I hadn't…". Don't confuse it with 「Vたばかり」 (just did).
Examples
一言余計なことを言ったばかりに、彼を怒らせてしまった。
Just because I said one unnecessary word, I made him angry.
傘を持たなかったばかりに、びしょ濡れになった。
Just because I did not bring an umbrella, I got soaked.
Keep in mind
- The second clause must be a bad thing that already happened.
- A noun attaches with 「である」, a na-adjective with 「な」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong早く出たばかりに、間に合った。
Thanks to leaving early, I made it in time.
Correct早く出たおかげで、間に合った。
A good result uses 「おかげで」.
-
Wrong日本に来たばかりに、まだ慣れていない。
I just came to Japan so I'm not used to it yet.
Correct日本に来たばかりで、まだ慣れていない。
「Vたばかり」 (just did) is completely different from 「Vたばかりに」 (just because… that).
Exam tips
- 「ばかりに」 = just because… (BAD consequence); different from 「たばかり」 (just did).