こんにちは！ちか先生(せんせい)です。
Konnichiwa! It’s Chika sensei.

Today I share my reply to a student’s question in the JLPT All-in-One course.
I hope you will find it helpful!

 

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〜ばかり
just finished, something just occurred

 

[A student’s comment]

先生、I have a question.
たばかり and たところ
same meaning?

私は、2年前に日本に来たばかりです。
Can I also say 来たところ？

 

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[Chika Sensei’s reply]

こんにちは。

 

〜た＋ばかり
Using when the speaker feels they just did something.

◎私は、2年前に日本に来たばかりです。
＝The speaker thinks that “two years in Japan” is still a short time.

 

〜た＋ところ
Not psychologically, but when it is actually done just now.

◎私は10分前に、コーヒーを飲んだところです。
＝Indeed, “I had coffee ten minutes ago” is a short time.

×私は、2年前に日本に来たところです。
＝Some people think “two years in Japan” is a long time, so you can’t use “ところ”.

 

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Did my explanation enhance your understanding?

You can ask any questions like, “How do you say this in Japanese?”, “What’s the difference between these two words?” etc., in all lesson’s comment boxes.
I will explain it to you until you are satisfied.

 

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