限る

• Reading: かぎる
• Romaji: kagiru
• Kanji breakdown: 限 (kagi/gen) — limit, restrict, boundary
• Pronunciation: /ka.ɡi.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To restrict; to limit; to confine. Setting boundaries or establishing that something applies only under specific conditions.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugating with the r-row (限る → 限らない → 限って). Extremely versatile in set patterns: ～に限る (nothing beats ~, is the best), ～に限って (only when ~, limited to ~), ～とは限らない (not necessarily the case that ~). The passive form 限られた (limited) is also very common. A high-frequency grammar word essential for N3.

Examples

1. 夏はビールに限る。 Nothing beats a cold beer in the summer.
2. 高いものがいいとは限らない。 Expensive doesn't necessarily mean good.
3. 参加者は二十人に限ります。 Participation is limited to twenty people.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, rules, opinions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 限 combines a hill/boundary (阝) and an eye looking down (艮), suggesting looking from a boundary — seeing the edge of something. The idea of a visible boundary that restricts further progress.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal