Only A (A is a special condition)
- Only A (A is a special condition)
- Shows unfortunate action B right at the time/situation A Carries the nuance of "Just at the time A, something terrible/undesirable happens." Similar to "Of all the luck, ...", or "Just at the worst possible time, ..."
- Because of trust/confidence/belief in A, B The clause B is usually a statement that the speaker strongly believes in. Often rejects a negative action (He/she would never do such a thing).
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26点
先着100名に限り、サービス券を差し上げます。
The first 100 people will receive a coupon.
19点
この魚は本日に限り、一匹五十円だ。
These fish are 50 yen each, but only for today.
12点
子供に限りサンタクロースを見ることができます。
Only children are able to see Santa Claus.
10点
「飲み物は無料ですか。」「ご婦人に限ってです。」
Are drinks free? Only for women.
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
Where this grammar is found
新完全マスター文法 N2: 05課・~だけ
Nihongo So-Matome N2 (日本語総まとめ): 第2週 3日目
Nihongo So-Matome N1 (日本語総まとめ): 第3週 2日目
JLPT N2 / Advanced: Noun Suffixes - に ⑦
Nihongo So-Matome N2 (日本語総まとめ): 第2週 3日目
Nihongo So-Matome N1 (日本語総まとめ): 第3週 2日目
JLPT N2 / Advanced: Noun Suffixes - に ⑦
User notes
0点
along with the other two example posts when the ない form of a verb is placed after に限って there is a slight change in meaning. This form comes to have the meaning of disbelief. An example would be まさか、彼女に限ってアメリカ人になるなんてことはないだろう。This has the meaning of "I cannot believe that she would become an American (She is the last person I think would become an American.)" or "She is the only person I don't think would become an American."
5 years ago

5点
I agree with berndbausch and suggest splitting this page to cover the other meanings, according to Shin Kanzen master:
#1
A:Adj.naな・である限り(は), B
Nである限り(は), B
Only while A (is continously occuring), B
Clause B cannot be in past tense.
#2
A:Nの限りでは
V.inf/V.teいる/V.past限りでは
Based on just A, conclusion B follows; As far as A, B is concluded.
Commonly paried with 見る・聞く・覚えている・知っている・調査, and takes the form of advice
#3, this use has 3 suggested meanings, based on context
A: Nに限りって, B
1. A has happened, out of regularity
2. By chance, a negative thing A has occured
3. Because I believe in A, I don't expect bad stuff B will happen
3.1 and 3.2's uses are usually paired with a day or time, e.g. 今日に限りって・その日に限りって・ている時に
#1
A:Adj.naな・である限り(は), B
Nである限り(は), B
Only while A (is continously occuring), B
Clause B cannot be in past tense.
#2
A:Nの限りでは
V.inf/V.teいる/V.past限りでは
Based on just A, conclusion B follows; As far as A, B is concluded.
Commonly paried with 見る・聞く・覚えている・知っている・調査, and takes the form of advice
#3, this use has 3 suggested meanings, based on context
A: Nに限りって, B
1. A has happened, out of regularity
2. By chance, a negative thing A has occured
3. Because I believe in A, I don't expect bad stuff B will happen
3.1 and 3.2's uses are usually paired with a day or time, e.g. 今日に限りって・その日に限りって・ている時に
8 years ago

3点
According to the book I am using, 完全マスター, ”に限って” is rather subtle and complex. It can have undertones like "exceptionally", "right at this important moment, this bad thing had to happen" or, as exemplified in the sentence "うちの子に限って", may express full trust in something or someone.
Also, に限り is rather formal, whereas に限って is used in everyday language.
Best to split the entry in two?
Also, に限り is rather formal, whereas に限って is used in everyday language.
Best to split the entry in two?
9 years ago
berndbausch
- Level 1
Shows unfortunate action B right at the time/situation A
Carries the nuance of "Just at the time A, something terrible/undesirable happens." Similar to "Of all the luck, ...", or "Just at the worst possible time, ..."
- Only A (A is a special condition)
- Shows unfortunate action B right at the time/situation A Carries the nuance of "Just at the time A, something terrible/undesirable happens." Similar to "Of all the luck, ...", or "Just at the worst possible time, ..."
- Because of trust/confidence/belief in A, B The clause B is usually a statement that the speaker strongly believes in. Often rejects a negative action (He/she would never do such a thing).
9点
その日に限って彼は欠席だった。
He was absent only on that day.
1点
お洒落する日に限って雨が降る。
It just has to rain on the day I dress up.
1点
早く起きる日に限って何も予定がありません。
Just like it for me to wake up early on a day that I don't have anything planned.
1点
忙しい時に限って友達から連絡が来る。
Of all the luck to hear from a friend when I'm busy.
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
Basic Examples:
食べようとする時に限って急場がある (an emergency happens just when I'm about to eat)
Where this grammar is found
User notes
Because of trust/confidence/belief in A, B
The clause B is usually a statement that the speaker strongly believes in. Often rejects a negative action (He/she would never do such a thing).
- Only A (A is a special condition)
- Shows unfortunate action B right at the time/situation A Carries the nuance of "Just at the time A, something terrible/undesirable happens." Similar to "Of all the luck, ...", or "Just at the worst possible time, ..."
- Because of trust/confidence/belief in A, B The clause B is usually a statement that the speaker strongly believes in. Often rejects a negative action (He/she would never do such a thing).
1点
このメーカーに限ってこんなダサい服は作らないよ。
This maker would never make such unfashionable clothes.
0点
あの生徒に限ってカンニングをするわけがない。
There's no way that student would cheat.
1点
うちの子に限って嘘をつくはずがありません。
It couldn't be true that my child would lie.
Getting the sentences
Construction
(Elements in parentheses are optional.)
Basic Examples:
あの人に限って成功する (that person will definitely succeed)
User notes
Discussion about this grammar

Years Studied: ???
Studying: JLPT N2/N1 -------- 44 Games Completed in Japanese
Level: 110,
好 : 343
Studying: JLPT N2/N1 -------- 44 Games Completed in Japanese
0点
6 years ago

Site admin
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
0点
6 years ago

Years Studied: Many on and off
Studying: N2
Level: 654,
好 : 2,868
Studying: N2
2点
2 years ago

Years Studied: ???
Studying: JLPT N2/N1 -------- 44 Games Completed in Japanese
Level: 110,
好 : 343
Studying: JLPT N2/N1 -------- 44 Games Completed in Japanese
1点
1 year ago (Edited 1 year ago.)

Site admin
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
0点
1 year ago

Site admin
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
1点
1 year ago

Years Studied: ???
Studying: JLPT N2/N1 -------- 44 Games Completed in Japanese
Level: 110,
好 : 343
Studying: JLPT N2/N1 -------- 44 Games Completed in Japanese
0点
1 year ago

Years Studied: Many on and off
Studying: N2
Level: 654,
好 : 2,868
Studying: N2
0点
1 year ago

Site admin
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
0点
1 year ago

Years Studied: Many on and off
Studying: N2
Level: 654,
好 : 2,868
Studying: N2
0点
1 year ago

Site admin
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
0点
1 year ago
Level: 181,
好 : 2
0点
1 month ago

Site admin
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
Level: 109, 好 : 6,622
0点
1 month ago