～に限らず

• Reading: にかぎらず
• Romaji: ni kagirazu
• Formation: Noun + に限らず + Broader scope / Additional items
• Kanji breakdown: 限 (gen/kagi) = limit, restrict

Meaning

Expresses that something is not limited to a particular scope and extends beyond it. Equivalent to 'not limited to' or 'not only... but also.'

This compound particle broadens the scope of a statement, indicating that what is being said applies more widely than just the stated item. It is formed from the negative form of 限る and is more formal than だけでなく. に限らず is often followed by a broader category or contrasting example to show the full extent of what is being discussed. It appears frequently in written Japanese, speeches, and news. While だけでなく and ばかりでなく convey similar meanings, に限らず has a slightly more formal and emphatic tone, stressing that a boundary should not be drawn at the stated item.

Examples

1. 若者に限らず高齢者もSNSを使っている。 Not only young people but also elderly people use social media.
2. 日本に限らずアジア全体で人口問題が深刻だ。 Population problems are serious not just in Japan but across all of Asia.
3. 平日に限らず週末も仕事をしている。 I work not only on weekdays but also on weekends.

Usage Guide

Context: written, formal speech, news

Tone: expansive

Do Say

• 男性に限らず女性も積極的に参加している。
• 大都市に限らず地方でも同じ問題が起きている。
• この制度は正社員に限らずパートにも適用される。

Don't Say

• 若者に限らないで高齢者もSNSを使っている。(Using に限らないで instead of に限らず — the correct compound particle form is に限らず) → 若者に限らず高齢者もSNSを使っている。
• 日本だけに限らずアジア全体で問題だ。(Adding だけ before に限らず is redundant — に限らず already means not limited to) → 日本に限らずアジア全体で問題だ。

Origin & History

Compound of に and 限らず (negative continuative form of 限る, to limit). Literally means 'not limiting to,' expressing the removal of boundaries.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal