Meaning
〜に限る expresses a subjective belief that a particular method or option is the best or most ideal compared to alternatives. It's used when recommending what you think is the optimal choice. While it can appear in both formal and informal writing, informal speech usage is relatively casual. The pattern emphasizes personal judgment rather than objective fact.
Formation
| Part of speech | Formation |
|---|---|
| 動詞辞書形 | に限る |
| 動詞(ない形) | に限る |
| 名詞 | に限る |
Examples
-
君にとって仕事が大事なのはわかるけど、がんばりは早く治すには家で休むに限るよ。
I understand work is important to you, but to get well from a cold quickly, there's no better way than resting at home. -
タバコをやめたら咳が出なくなったんだ。やっぱりタバコなんて吸わないに限るよ。
After I quit smoking, my cough went away. So really, the best thing is not to smoke at all. -
寒い日に体を温めるには、熱々の鍋に限ります。
On cold days, when you want to warm your body, nothing beats a steaming hot pot.
Summary
- Expresses subjective opinion that something is the best or ideal option
- Can be formed with verb dictionary form, negative verb form (ない), or nouns
- Commonly used for making recommendations; informal when spoken, but appropriate for formal writing