Skip to content

N2

限り

かぎり

As long as, While… is the case, Limited to

彼かれから聞きいた限かぎり、田中たなか君くんは退学たいがくになるらしい。

As far as I heard from him, apparently, Tanaka-kun is getting expelled.

Explanation

「限り」 has 2 uses

1As long as

As long as the first condition holds, the second stays true: 「諦めない限り、チャンスはある」 (as long as you don't give up, there's a chance). 「〜ない限り」: unless.

行列ぎょうれつに並ならばない限かぎり、あのパンは買かえない。

Unless you join the queue, you can't buy that bread.

彼かれが真剣しんけんに芸人げいにんになりたいと言いっている限かぎり、彼かれの夢ゆめは叶かなうだろう。

As long as he keeps saying he seriously wants to become a comedian, his dream will probably come true.

2As far as

Within what you know, see, hear or can do: 「私の知る限り」 (as far as I know), 「見る限り」 (as far as the eye can see), 「できる限り」 (as much as possible).

彼かれから聞きいた限かぎり、田中たなか君くんは退学たいがくになるらしい。

As far as I heard from him, apparently, Tanaka-kun is getting expelled.

見みる限かぎり、水みずしかない...

As far as I can see, there's nothing but water...

Mixed up with

「〜限り(は)」: as long as the state continues: 「日本にいる限り、日本語を使う」 (As long as I'm in Japan, I'll use Japanese).

「〜に限り」: only for: 「本日ご来店のお客様に限り」 (only for customers visiting today).

「〜を限りに」: ends at that point: 「今日を限りに退職する」 (I will retire as of today).

「〜限りでは」: the extent of one's information: 「調べた限りでは」 (as far as I checked).

Examples

1As long as

  1. 日本にほんに住すむ限かぎり、日本にほんの法律ほうりつを守まもらなければいけない。

    As long as you live in Japan, you have to obey Japanese law.

  2. 家族かぞくの大黒柱だいこくばしらである限かぎり、家族かぞくを支ささえなければならない。

    Since I am the pillar of the family, I must support my family.

2As far as

  1. 見みる限かぎり、水みずしかない...

    As far as I can see, there's nothing but water...

  2. 「田中たなかさんって結婚けっこんしてるの?」「聞きいた限かぎりでは、まだ独身どくしんよ。」

    'Is Tanaka-san married?' 'As far as I've heard, Tanaka's still single.'

Tested 3 times in past papers

N1 · Jul 2022, Q36N1 · Jul 2017, Q26N1 · Jul 2014, Q26