限

• Pinyin: xiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 阝= 阜 (earthen boundary marker); 艮 = 目 + 匕 (fixed, unyielding)

Meaning

To limit; to restrict; to set a maximum boundary on quantity, time, or scope.

Functions as a verb or prefix imposing a restriction. Commonly used in official notices, contracts, and announcements to set a cap or condition.

Examples

1. 此次活动限报名人数为五十人。 This event is limited to fifty registrants.
2. 公司规定每人每次限购两件。 The company requires that each person may buy no more than two items per purchase.
3. 合同要求双方限在三十天内完成全部交付。 The contract requires both parties to complete all deliveries within thirty days.

Usage Guide

Context: business, law, announcements

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 本次招募限三十岁以下人员参加。(This recruitment is limited to those under thirty years of age.)
• 参赛作品限三千字以内，超出部分将被视为无效。(Submitted works are limited to under 3,000 characters; any excess will be deemed invalid.)

Don't Say

• 我限你做这件事 — 限 governs a cap or scope, not a person directly; use 禁止 or 不允许 for personal prohibitions

Origin & History

阝(boundary mound) + 艮 (hard stop) — a fixed boundary that cannot be crossed

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal