So what’s the difference? Both phrases have a negative connotation and both can be used to say there are (too) many of something.

The most important distinction is that だらけ refers to something is covered in many individual things, whereas ばかり suggests only one from many possibilities.

怪我して体が傷だらけだった。
To have an accident and be covered in bruises.

怪我して体が傷ばかりだった。
(Sounds unnatural—what else could you be covered in after an accident?).

You May Also Like

How Difficult is Japanese?

If you’re thinking of learning Japanese then the chances are that you’re wondering: “Is Japanese really that difficult?”…

The Japanese Number System

Before we go much further let’s go through the Japanese number system, starting with 1-10. Number Kanji Hiragana…

Maybe/Possibility: ~かもしれない

かもしれない is translatable as “maybe”. It expresses less probability than adding the volitional form of the auxiliary verb…

The Volitional: ~よう

The volitional—or more simply the “let’s “and “shall” form—helps us create a number of different phrases. Group 1…