～限り (limit)

• Reading: かぎり
• Romaji: kagiri
• Formation: Time/Quantity noun + 限り / これ/今回/今日 + 限り
• Kanji breakdown: 限 (limit, restrict)

Meaning

A suffix meaning 'only until,' 'limited to,' or 'last.' It expresses that something is valid, available, or happening only up to a certain boundary of time, quantity, or occasion.

限り in its limiting sense sets a hard boundary beyond which something ceases to exist, apply, or be available. Common uses include 今日限り (only today / as of today), 今回限り (just this once), 数量限り (while supplies last), and これ限り (this is the last time). Unlike the conditional 限り, which frames ongoing conditions, the limiting 限り marks a definitive cutoff point. It often appears in announcements, sales promotions, and ultimatums. The expression 限りがある means 'there are limits to,' while 限りない/限りなく means 'limitless/infinitely.'

Examples

1. この特別価格は今月限りとなっております。 This special price is available only until the end of this month.
2. 今回限り特別にお許しいたします。 I will make a special exception just this once.
3. この商品は在庫限りで販売終了です。 This product will stop being sold once current stock runs out.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, business, announcements

Tone: definitive

Do Say

• 本日限りのセールをお見逃しなく。
• これ限りにしてほしいと伝えた。
• 先着百名限りのキャンペーンです。

Don't Say

• 明日限り買い物に行きます。(Using 限り to mean 'only tomorrow' for a casual plan — 限り implies a hard deadline or cutoff; use だけ for simple 'only') → 明日だけ買い物に行きます。
• 今日限り暑い。(Using 限り to describe today's weather — 限り marks a definitive endpoint, not a temporary state; use だけ or simply state the fact) → 今日は暑い。

Origin & History

From the same root as conditional 限り — the verb 限る (to limit). This usage retains the original sense of boundary more directly, marking the edge beyond which something no longer applies.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal