This means "about" or "around" a certain amount. You use it for numbers or times.
Noun + ばかりPrimary
This means "about" or "around" a certain amount. You use it for numbers or times.
一時間ばかり散歩しませんか。
Shall we go for a walk for about an hour?
昨日、十万円ばかりする服を買ってしまった。
Yesterday, I ended up buying clothes that cost around a hundred thousand yen.
彼は五分ばかりも待てないほどせっかちだ。
He is so impatient that he can't even wait for about five minutes.
そのプロジェクトには三年ばかりの歳月が費やされました。
A period of about three years was spent on that project.
ここから駅までは歩いて十五分ばかりですが、バスもありますよ。
It's about a 15-minute walk from here to the station, but there is also a bus.
This word shows a 'big amount' of something. It's like saying 'a whole lot of' in English. It makes the number feel important or surprising.
Both "~bakari" and "~gurai" mean "about." But "~bakari" shows you think the amount is big. "~gurai" is more neutral. Use "~gurai" for small amounts. For example, saying "Lend me about 1000 yen" uses "~gurai." 1000 yen is not a big amount. "~hodo" also means "about." It often means an upper limit.
Don't use this when you mean "just did something." For example, "食べたばかり" means "I just ate." This is different.
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