The difference between ぐらい and ばかり


I want to know more about the difference between ぐらい and ばかり, and when either
should be used. For example in the 2 sentences below. I think either of them
can be used.

> 駅まで2時間ぐらいで着くと思います。

> 駅まで2時間ばかりで着くと思います。

But for the sentences below, it will have a different meaning

> 30分ぐらい座りました

> 30分ばかり座りました

In my assumption, ぐらい is "about", and ばかり is "only about"




As you say, ばかり has a connotation of “only” even when it is used as a synonym
of ぐらい. However, I would say that difference is pretty subtle and rather
negligible.

I see a much bigger difference between the two. ばかり is not very frequently
used in that sense any longer, at least not in spoken language. I may see it
from time to time in writing but hardly ever hear anyone actually say it in a
conversation. It would sound a bit stilted.

ばかり in the sense of “only” is commonly used in conversation, often in the
colloquial form of ばっかり.

> 彼は文句ば（っ）かり言う。  
>  He does nothing but complain.

If you need to express the meaning of "approximately" somewhat formally, you
can use ほど instead of ぐらい.

> 駅まで2時間ほどで着くと思います。

> 30分ほど座りました。




As you say, ばかり has a connotation of “only” even when it is used as a synonym
of ぐらい. However, I would say that difference is pretty subtle and rather
negligible.

I see a much bigger difference between the two. ばかり is not very frequently
used in that sense any longer, at least not in spoken language. I may see it
from time to time in writing but hardly ever hear anyone actually say it in a
conversation. It would sound a bit stilted.

ばかり in the sense of “only” is commonly used in conversation, often in the
colloquial form of ばっかり.

> 彼は文句ば（っ）かり言う。  
>  He does nothing but complain.

If you need to express the meaning of "approximately" somewhat formally, you
can use ほど instead of ぐらい.

> 駅まで2時間ほどで着くと思います。

> 30分ほど座りました。

