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

Not Worth Trying

JPLT N3. Used in both conversation and writing. 【Verb: Stem】ようがない 【Verb: Stem】ようもない よう is volitional ending for group…

Unwanted Similarity: ~っぽい

っぽい is typically used with adjectives and nouns to give your verdict on something based on how something…

If I Only Had

JLPT N3. Used in both writing and conversation. さえ is a versatile particle that is used most commonly…

The Topic Particle & State of Being

There is one verb that I’m going to introduce immediately: the auxiliary verb (です). In English, we use…